A catastrophic fire at a packed nightclub in India's coastal state of Goa has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, including four tourists, after a gas cylinder exploded in the venue's kitchen.
Horrific Scene on Packed Dance Floor
The tragedy unfolded around midnight on Sunday, 7 December 2025, at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular club in Arpora village, North Goa. Witnesses reported that approximately 100 people were on the dance floor when the explosion ignited the blaze. In the ensuing panic, some patrons ran towards the kitchen in an attempt to escape, only to become trapped alongside staff members.
"I was outside the club when I heard screams," one eyewitness told the BBC. "In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. Nobody could do much. The scenes were just horrific."
Fatima Shaikh, a tourist from Hyderabad, described a "sudden commotion as the flames started erupting," telling the PTI news agency that the group rushed out only to see the entire structure engulfed.
Victims and Immediate Aftermath
Among the dead are four tourists and as many as 14 kitchen staff. A chef from a nearby venue expressed grave concern for colleagues, noting that many workers in Goa's clubs come from across India and Nepal. "Their phones are off," he said.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by Sunday morning. Goa's Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, stated that preliminary investigations indicated the club "did not follow fire safety norms." He has ordered a full inquiry into the incident.
National Outcry and Calls for Safety Audit
The disaster has prompted a national response and serious questions about regulatory oversight in one of India's premier tourist destinations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as "deeply saddening" and announced compensation of ₹200,000 (approx. £1,666) for the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 (approx. £416) for the injured.
President Draupati Murmu offered her heartfelt condolences, saying she was "deeply pained by the tragic fire incident."
Michael Lobo, an MP from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has called for a safety audit of all clubs in Goa following the fire. "Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination, but the fire incident is very disturbing, and such incidents should not happen in the future," he said.
This tragedy underscores a recurring danger in India, where accidents involving gas cylinders are frequent and often deadly, highlighting a critical need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and regulatory oversight, especially in high-capacity venues like nightclubs.
