Goa nightclub fire: 25 lives lost, safety in question
A tragic fire broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa shortly after midnight on December 7, 2025, leaving 25 people dead—many of whom were staff members trapped in the basement.
The blaze started during a live music event with over 100 people present and spread fast because there weren't enough emergency exits.
Firefighters faced tough conditions with narrow access points, and approximately 50 people were injured, with 6 remaining seriously injured by the next morning.
What's happening now?
Goa's Chief Minister has ordered an official inquiry, focusing on how the club was allowed to operate despite these safety issues.
There's now a push for stricter fire safety checks at all nightclubs across Goa.
Meanwhile, the club's co-owners fled to Thailand after the incident but were caught and brought back to India—they've been arrested and will face court.
The tragedy has sparked urgent questions about who's really responsible for keeping public spaces safe.