North Goa Nightclub Inferno Leaves 25 Dead After Late-Night Cylinder Blast
A horrific fire engulfed a popular nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, in the early hours of Sunday, claiming 25 lives and injuring several others. The blaze erupted around 2:30 AM after a gas cylinder reportedly exploded near the club’s kitchen at Birch by Romeo Lane.
Police officials confirmed that the deceased include four tourists and fourteen employees of the nightclub. The identities of seven additional victims are still being verified. The venue, situated about 25 km from Panaji, was hosting a large crowd when the tragedy unfolded.
Goa’s Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, said the control room received the first alert shortly after midnight. Emergency responders—including fire crews, police, and ambulances—quickly arrived at the site.
“The fire was brought under control, and 23 bodies were initially recovered,” he stated, later noting that the toll had risen to 25 after further assessment.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant visited the scene and expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic incident. He noted that initial reports indicate the nightclub may not have adhered to mandatory fire safety norms. The establishment began operating only last year.
National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and President Droupadi Murmu, conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister’s Office announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each victim and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Firefighters battled the flames for almost two hours before successfully extinguishing the fire. Despite their efforts, many inside the club could not be saved due to the intensity of the blaze.
Authorities have opened a detailed investigation into the cause of the explosion, the club’s safety measures, and potential lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
