What was supposed to be another lively Saturday night in Goa’s famous party strip turned into a tragedy.
A massive fire tore through a popular nightclub in Arpora just after midnight, killing 25 people.
Most of them were staff, though tourists are among the victims too.
Police believe the blaze began when a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen.
“The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area,” said Goa’s police chief Alok Kumar.
Many of the bodies were found nearby, suggesting workers had little time to escape.
Six more people are in hospital, all in stable condition.
Tragedy Inquiry
Outside the club — identified as Birch by Romeo Lane — witnesses described chaos, screams, and choking smoke.
“Nobody could do much. The scenes were just horrific,” one man told the BBC.
Rescue crews worked through the night, combing through charred debris and melted furniture as officials sealed off the area.
A formal inquiry is now underway. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised that “any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” calling the loss “unimaginable.”
Goa’s nightlife draws millions each year, but deadly fires at entertainment venues have become an unsettling pattern across India.
As investigators hunt for answers, many are left asking: how many warnings does it take before safety finally catches up?
