By: The Trek News Desk
A devastating fire tore through a popular nightclub in Goa’s bustling coastal belt just after midnight on Saturday, killing 25 people. Officials said most of the victims were employees working inside the venue, while several tourists were also among those who lost their lives.
Preliminary investigation suggests the blaze was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen, which engulfed much of the ground floor within minutes.
Death Toll Rises Overnight; Several Injured in Stable Condition
Authorities revised the toll on Sunday morning, raising the figure from 23 to 25. Six people are being treated in the hospital, and all are reported to be in stable condition.
Goa’s Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, said the fire was concentrated around the kitchen area, where most bodies were found, indicating that a large portion of the victims were club staff.
CM Sawant: Some Died of Burns, Others of Suffocation
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that three people died from burn injuries, while the rest succumbed to smoke inhalation. He added that “three to four” tourists were also among the dead, though their identities and nationalities have not been released.
Local reports indicate the fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, one of the busiest nightlife spots.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Horror
One witness told the media that it started like a normal Saturday night before panic erupted:
Suddenly, there were screams. Within moments, it was clear that a huge fire had broken out. Nobody could do anything; the scenes were terrifying.
Images from the site show charred chairs, melted tables, and burnt plant debris inside the club.
A nearby restaurant chef said he knew several employees at Birch and was distressed as many of their phones were unreachable.
Rescue Teams Work Through the Night; Bodies Sent to GMC
Firefighters and rescue teams continued searching the debris through the early hours of Sunday.
The bodies have been moved to Goa Medical College (GMC) in Panaji for identification.
A firefighter told the media that families are being contacted as officials begin a formal inquiry into the cause of the fire.
CM Sawant vowed strict action: “Anyone found responsible will face the harshest legal consequences. Negligence will not be tolerated.”
PM Modi Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
A Growing Pattern: Fires at Entertainment Venues Raise Alarm
Goa, renowned for its beaches, nightlife, and resorts, attracts millions of tourists from both domestic and international destinations every year. Government data shows over 5.5 million visitors in the first six months alone.
The tragedy adds to a worrying trend of fatal fires at entertainment venues across India:
- 17 killed in a Hyderabad building fire in May,
- 15 dead in a Kolkata hotel blaze earlier this year,
- 24 people were killed last year in a Gujarat amusement arcade, where structural failures worsened the tragedy.
Source: News Agencies
