Tragic Nightclub Blaze in Goa Claims 25 Lives: What Went Wrong?
Devastating Fire at Goa Nightclub
Panaji: A crowded nightclub in North Goa became a scene of tragedy late Saturday night when a significant fire broke out, resulting in the loss of 25 lives and highlighting serious safety violations and negligence by authorities.
Officials suspect that fireworks ignited the inferno at the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub located in Arpora, approximately 25 kilometers from Panaji. Four staff members have been detained, and the club's owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, are also expected to be arrested soon.
The incident left at least six individuals injured, with the deceased including four tourists and 14 employees, some hailing from Jharkhand. The identities of the remaining victims are still being verified, according to police reports.
Fire officials noted that the nightclub lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, and the small exits and narrow access routes hindered escape efforts.
Initial investigations indicated that 'electric firecrackers' were activated inside the venue, igniting the fire around 11:45 PM, as stated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He has instructed Chief Secretary Dr. V. Candavelou and Director General of Police Alok Kumar to identify and take action against officials who permitted the club's operation despite its safety violations.
The police have arrested the club's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, along with general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur.
In response to the tragedy, the government has established a committee comprising the South Goa Collector, the Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, and the Director of Forensic Laboratory to investigate the incident, with a report due within a week.
The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs five lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, funded by the State Disaster Management Authority. Arrangements will also be made to return the bodies of the deceased to their hometowns.
Most fatalities were attributed to suffocation, as many victims were trapped on the ground floor and in the kitchen, according to fire officials.
Leaders including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed their condolences over the incident.
Riya, a tourist from Delhi who survived, recounted that firecrackers exploded during a dance performance, which likely triggered the fire. She described a chaotic scene as people rushed to escape.
Fatima Shaikh, another tourist, noted that around 100 people were on the dance floor, and in their panic, some fled to the kitchen, where they became trapped with staff members.
The nightclub was particularly crowded due to the weekend, and the rapid spread of flames engulfed the entire venue. Shaikh mentioned that temporary structures made of palm leaves caught fire easily.
Fire brigade access was severely limited due to narrow streets, forcing water tankers to park 400 meters away, complicating firefighting efforts, according to a senior fire service officer.
Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa panchayat, revealed ongoing disputes between the club's owners and noted that the premises lacked proper construction permissions, leading to a demolition notice that was later stayed by the Directorate of Panchayats.
Distraught family members of the victims gathered outside the morgue at Goa Medical College and Hospital, anxiously seeking news about their loved ones. Some relatives from Jharkhand expressed their refusal to accept the bodies unless the nightclub owner facilitated their return home.
The opposition criticized the ruling BJP government in Goa over the incident. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his sorrow, labeling the event a 'criminal failure of safety and governance.'
The Aam Aadmi Party in Goa asserted that the Sawant government has lost its moral authority to govern, questioning why no action was taken against the nightclub despite previous safety concerns raised in the assembly.
The Congress party also called for Chief Minister Sawant's resignation, citing the club's lack of a No Objection Certificate from the fire department and absence of liquor sales permission from the Excise Department.
In light of the tragedy, CM Sawant announced plans for audits of clubs operating without proper permissions and venues where large crowds gather to prevent future incidents.