Goa nightclub blaze kills 23 staff after cylinder blast
Goa nightclub blaze kills 23 staff after cylinder blast
A cylinder blast sparked a deadly fire at a Goa nightclub in Arpora, killing 23 staff as investigators probe safety lapses and announce audits.
A deadly fire tore through a Goa nightclub in Arpora after a cylinder blast late Saturday night, killing 23 people—mostly kitchen staff and including three women. A few tourists are among the dead, authorities said. The venue, Birch by Romeo Lane, had opened last year and officials said it did not meet required fire safety norms.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant rushed to the spot, vowing stringent action against the club management and any officials who allowed it to operate without proper fire safety clearances. He said a detailed inquiry would be conducted and that the guilty would be punished. Goa police chief Alok Kumar told reporters that the blaze was triggered by a cylinder blast, and all 23 bodies were recovered and sent to the Government Medical College at Bambolim.
Firefighters and police worked through the night to contain the blaze, with rescue operations continuing as dawn broke. The Calangute panchayat announced it would issue notices to all nightclubs asking for fire safety permissions, and officials pledged a fire safety audit of venues across the state to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.
The tragedy unfolded during Goa’s peak tourist season, drawing attention to the enforcement of safety norms in crowded nightlife hubs. Authorities said they would review licensing, inspections, and compliance to ensure nightspots meet fire safety standards and that penalties are imposed on those who fail to comply.
Cover image source: Cylinder blast triggers fire at Goa nightclub, kills 23 staff members 🔗
