A devastating fire at a popular nightclub in North Goa has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, marking one of the state's worst tragedies in recent years. The blaze erupted late Saturday night at the Birch by Romeo Lane club in the bustling beach area of Baga.
Timeline of a Tragedy: Midnight Blaze at Baga
According to police officials, the fire broke out around midnight. Preliminary investigations strongly point towards a cylinder blast as the likely cause of the inferno. Emergency services were immediately alerted, and several fire tenders rushed to the scene. Rescue operations continued through the night and into the early hours of Sunday before the flames were finally brought under control.
Goa's Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, provided crucial details on the incident's aftermath. "So far, 23 casualties have been reported. The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor," he stated. The location of the victims has led investigators to a heartbreaking conclusion.
Victims Believed to be Club Staff, Rescue Operations Detailed
The pattern of recovery suggests that a majority of those who lost their lives were employees of the establishment. Most bodies were retrieved from the kitchen area, with two more found on a staircase, indicating they were likely staff members present during the late-night operations. Senior police officers, including the DGP, and teams from the North Goa district swiftly arrived at the spot to manage the crisis and the subsequent investigation.
Teams remain engaged in the process of evacuation and ensuring the site is fully secured. The precise source and definitive cause of the fire are still being ascertained by forensic and police experts.
National and State Response: Aid for the Affected
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound grief over the tragic incident. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased. Those injured in the calamity will receive Rs 50,000 as financial support.
PM Modi also spoke to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, assuring all possible assistance from the central government for the affected families and the state's relief efforts. Chief Minister Sawant apprised the Prime Minister of the on-ground situation in the wake of the disaster. The incident has cast a pall over the coastal tourism hotspot, raising urgent questions about safety protocols in high-occupancy entertainment venues.
