Tragic Fire at North Goa Nightclub Claims 23 Lives

A devastating fire at a North Goa nightclub, caused by a gas cylinder explosion, has tragically claimed the lives of 23 individuals, including employees and tourists. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the club failed to meet fire safety standards and vowed to take action against those responsible. As investigations unfold, local authorities are set to conduct fire safety audits across all nightclubs to prevent future incidents. This unfortunate event has raised significant concerns during a busy tourist season, highlighting the urgent need for stricter safety measures in entertainment venues.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 7, 2025, 08:58 IST

Devastating Incident at Nightclub

A catastrophic explosion of a gas cylinder at a nightclub in North Goa late Saturday night resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals, according to police reports. The state's Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, indicated that most of the deceased were employees working in the club's kitchen. Among the victims were three women and an estimated three to four tourists.

Upon arriving at the scene, Sawant informed reporters that three of the victims died from burns, while the others succumbed to smoke inhalation. He noted that preliminary investigations suggested the nightclub had failed to adhere to fire safety regulations.

The fire broke out at the nightclub named 'Burch by Romeo Lane' shortly after midnight. Located in Arpora, approximately 25 kilometers from the state capital, Panaji, Sawant stated, 'We will take action against the club management and the officials who overlooked safety violations.'

Sawant expressed his sorrow over the unfortunate incident occurring during a peak tourist season in the coastal state. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and strict measures would be taken against those responsible. Goa's police chief, Alok Kumar, confirmed that the fire was triggered by the cylinder explosion.

Local BJP legislator Michael Lobo reported that all 23 bodies had been recovered from the site and transported to the government medical college in Bambolim. He added that firefighting and police teams promptly arrived at the scene and worked throughout the night on rescue operations.

Lobo also mentioned that officials would conduct fire safety audits of all clubs to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Calangute Panchayat plans to issue notices to all nightclubs on Monday, requiring them to present their fire safety permits. Clubs lacking the necessary permits will face license revocation.