23 killed in Goa's Arpora nightclub fire: CM Sawant confirms tragedy; vows strict action

NEW DELHI: At least 23 people died in a massive fire that engulfed a Birch By Romeo Lane club at Arpora in Goa early Sunday morning, chief minister Pramod Sawant told TOI.

He said two people were charred to death, while 21 others died due to suffocation.

"The incident is very unfortunate for a tourism state like Goa. The people who run such things illegally, and a fire incident occurred...23 people have lost their lives...The government will conduct an inquiry into this incident. The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire, and those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law," said Goa CM Pramod Sawant.




Goa DGP Alok Kumar said the fire is now under control and all the dead bodies have been recovered.

"An unfortunate incident occurred in a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora. At 12.04 am, the police control room received information about a fire, and the police, fire brigade, and ambulances were rushed to the spot. The fire is now under control, and all the bodies have been recovered. The total death count is 23...The police will investigate the cause of this incident, and we will take action based on the findings," Alok Kumar told news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and said the state government "is providing all possible assistance to those affected".

"The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected," PM Modi wrote on X.

PM Modi also annouced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the incident.Calling the fire incident "very disturbing", BJP MLA Michael Lobo said: "We will need to conduct a safety audit of all other clubs in Goa, which is very important." "I am disturbed because of the incident. There are 23 casualties, three women and 20 men. Some are tourists, while most are locals who were working in the restaurant's basement. We will need to conduct a safety audit of all other clubs in Goa, which is very important," Lobo said. He further added: "Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination, but the fire incident is very disturbing, and such incidents should not happen in the future. The safety of tourists and the workers in these establishments is extremely important. Most people died due to suffocation as they ran towards the basement".
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