Fire at Goa nightclub kills 25, including staff and tourists
A blaze ripped through the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, India, killing at least twenty‑five people on Saturday night, local officials said.
The fire erupted around midnight when a gas cylinder is reported to have exploded in the club’s kitchen, sending flames racing through the ground‑floor venue that was packed for a Bollywood‑specialist DJ set.
Goa’s Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, stated the inferno was largely confined to the kitchen area and that most victims were staff members found near the blaze, indicating they were employed at the club.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters that three people died from burn injuries while others suffocated, and that “three to four” tourists also perished, though ages and nationalities were not disclosed.
Six survivors remain in stable condition at local hospitals, and rescue teams are still combing the charred wreckage to identify the dead and notify families.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as screams echoed through the bustling nightlife district. One eyewitness recalled, “I was outside the club when I heard screams. In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were just horrific.”
A nearby chef, who knows several workers at Birch, expressed concern, saying, “People from all over the country and also from Nepal work in different clubs in Goa. I am really worried for some people I know at the club. Their phones are off.”
The state has launched an official inquiry, with Sawant promising that anyone found responsible will face the “most stringent action” under the law.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labelled the incident “deeply saddening” on social media, while Indian authorities reminded venue owners of strict safety compliance amid a spate of deadly fires in entertainment spots across the country.
For Ghanaian travellers, the tragedy underscores the importance of checking safety credentials of hotels and nightclubs abroad. The Ghana Tourism Authority advises citizens to verify emergency exits and fire‑safety measures before attending crowded venues, especially during peak holiday seasons.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
