Tragic Nightclub Fire in Goa Claims 25 Lives: What Went Wrong?

A catastrophic fire at a nightclub in North Goa has resulted in the tragic loss of 25 lives, primarily among kitchen staff and a few tourists. The incident, attributed to a cylinder explosion, has raised serious concerns regarding fire safety compliance at the venue. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has vowed to take action against the club's management and officials for negligence. As investigations unfold, local authorities are set to conduct fire safety audits across all nightclubs to prevent future tragedies. This unfortunate event has occurred during the peak tourist season, prompting calls for stricter safety measures.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 7, 2025, 09:27 IST

Devastating Blaze in North Goa Nightclub

Panaji: A tragic incident unfolded late Saturday night when a fire erupted at a nightclub in North Goa, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals, according to police reports.

The majority of the deceased were kitchen staff, including three women, as confirmed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He also noted that among the victims were 'three to four tourists.'

Reports indicate that 25 people lost their lives, with three succumbing to severe burn injuries while the others died from smoke inhalation.

Initial investigations revealed that the nightclub had failed to comply with fire safety regulations, as stated by the Chief Minister.

The fire ignited at Birch by Romeo Lane shortly after midnight. This popular venue in Arpora village, located about 25 kilometers from Panaji, had opened its doors just last year.

Sawant emphasized that action would be taken against the club's management and the officials responsible for allowing its operation despite safety violations.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, especially during the peak tourist season, Sawant assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and strict measures would follow against those found culpable.

Goa's police chief, Alok Kumar, confirmed that the fire was triggered by a cylinder explosion.

Local BJP MLA Michael Lobo reported that all bodies have been retrieved from the site and sent to the government medical college in Bambolim.

Emergency responders, including firefighters and police, arrived promptly and worked through the night to carry out rescue operations, Lobo informed the media.

He also mentioned that officials would perform fire safety audits across all clubs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Calangute panchayat plans to issue notices to all nightclubs on Monday, demanding proof of fire safety compliance, with licenses of non-compliant establishments set to be revoked.