At least 25 people were killed after a massive fire broke out at a crowded nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, late Saturday night, triggering one of the deadliest nightlife tragedies the coastal state has seen in recent years.
The blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular restaurant, cocktail bar and club, where over 100 people were present during a live music performance featuring a band and a belly dancer. Visuals from the scene showed flames emerging from behind the stage, rapidly engulfing the structure.
Fire Spread From First Floor, Basement Turned Death Trap
According to officials, the fire started on the first floor before quickly spreading across the building. A preliminary police inquiry suggested that most of the victims were trapped in the basement, where they suffocated as smoke filled the enclosed space.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior Goa police official said, “In the ensuing panic and chaos, many guests ran towards the exit and reached safety. The staff members working in the basement were effectively trapped because it lacked an exit and was engulfed in smoke. Some guests also seem to have rushed towards the basement and got trapped.”
Most of the deceased were reported to be club workers who were inside the basement at the time of the fire. Three to four tourists were also among the dead, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told journalists, adding that the identification process is still underway.
Chief Minister Calls It a ‘Very Painful Day’
Reacting to the tragedy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, “Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry into this incident. Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
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Firefighters worked through the night to douse the flames and rescue those trapped inside. By Sunday morning, the structure had been reduced to a blackened shell, as investigators sifted through the debris.
Police Report Flags Absence of Emergency Exits
A police report filed after the incident stated that while the venue was operating with proper licences, it did not have an emergency exit door on the ground floor or deck floor to facilitate evacuation during emergencies.
This lapse is now a critical focus of the official inquiry ordered by the state government.
Prime Minister Modi Calls Incident ‘Deeply Saddening’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Goa nightclub fire as “deeply saddening”, as shockwaves from the tragedy spread across the country.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony located along the Arabian Sea, draws millions of domestic and international tourists annually for its nightlife, beaches and coastal lifestyle. According to government data, around 5.5 million tourists visited Goa in the first half of this year, including 270,000 foreign visitors.
Goa politician Michael Lobo called for immediate safety checks across nightlife establishments. “Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination. The fire incident is quite disturbing, and such incidents should not happen in the future,” he said.
Deadly Fire Incidents Continue Across India
The Goa tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal fire incidents across India. In May, at least 17 people died in a blaze in Hyderabad. A month earlier, a fire in a Kolkata hotel killed at least 15 people, forcing some to climb out of windows to escape. In 2024, 24 people were killed after a fire broke out at a packed amusement park arcade in Gujarat.
Fires remain frequent across the country due to poor building practices, overcrowding and lapses in safety compliance.
