Goa nightclub fire: All 25 victims identified; full list released
What's the story
The tragic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, has claimed 25 lives. The victims include 20 staff members and five tourists. The state government has now released a complete list of those who lost their lives in this incident. Among the tourists are four from Delhi: Saroj Joshi, Anita Joshi, Kamla Joshi, and Vinod Kumar, and one from Karnataka, Ishaq.
Incident details
Fire breaks out during crowded event
Among the staff, four were from Uttarakhand and three each from Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Nepal. The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday during a packed event at the nightclub. Eyewitnesses said panic ensued as people rushed toward the kitchen and basement, where many were trapped. Thick smoke spread rapidly, making it impossible for most to escape. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that only two victims died due to burns; the rest succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Legal action
Management arrested, FIR filed against club owners
In the tragedy's aftermath, four members of the nightclub's management were arrested. They include chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajveer Singhania, and gate manager Priyanshu Thakur. An FIR has been filed against club owners Saurav and Gaurav Luthra on charges including culpable homicide and operating without safety clearances. The government also suspended three senior officials for their role in allowing the club to operate since 2023, which includes the then director of the Panchayat.
Investigation underway
Preliminary findings and compensation announced
Preliminary investigations suggest "electrical firecrackers" used during a live performance may have triggered the blaze. A magisterial fact-finding committee has been formed to investigate further. The state government has announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the next of kin of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for those injured in the incident.