At least 25 people have died in a fire at a nightclub in Goa, India, with tourists among the victims. The blaze broke out at about midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, a popular nightlife district in north Goa.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described the incident as a painful day for the state and ordered an inquiry, vowing stringent action against those responsible. 'Any negligence will be dealt with firmly,' he said.
The fire started during a live music performance, with flames seen emerging behind the stage. Most of the dead were kitchen workers trapped in the basement, which lacked an emergency exit, according to a police report. Panic led many guests to flee upstairs to safety, while staff and some guests who rushed to the basement became trapped and suffocated.
Fires are common in India due to poor building practices and lack of safety compliance. Recent incidents include a Hyderabad fire killing 17 in May and a Kolkata hotel blaze claiming 15 lives in April. In 2024, 24 died in a Gujarat amusement park fire.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, called the fire 'deeply saddening'. Goa politician Michael Lobo urged a fire safety audit of all clubs, stating, 'Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination. This is quite disturbing.'
