Cylinder blast in Goa's nightclub kills 25 including tourists; ex-gratia announced - Here's what happened

UPDATE: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that 25 people have died so far.

At least 23 persons were killed in a fire at a nightclub in North Goa following a cylinder blast late on Saturday (Dec 6) night, police confirmed. According to Indian news agency PTI, most of the dead were the club’s kitchen workers, and included three women. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant rushed to the spot after the incident. He said that three people succumbed to burn injuries and other 20 died due to suffocation. He also informed the media that there were three to four tourists among those killed. As per initial information, the nightclub had not abided by the fire safety norms.

The nightclub was Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa's Arpora. It opened last year and is located about 25km from the state capital, Panaji.

“We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms. This is an unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season in the coastal state. The CM also said that the incident is “very unfortunate for a tourism state like Goa”. He declared that 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…,” he added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also ensured ”all possible assistance" and spoke to Goa CM Sawant. The PMO announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

President of India Droupadi Murmu reacted to the incident saying that she is “deeply pained." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed his pain, and wrote on X, “The tragic loss of lives in a fire accident in Arpora, Goa, is deeply painful. The local administration is carrying out rescue and relief operations and providing the necessary care to the affected.”

According to the preliminary findings quoted by Goa CM, the fire started on the ground floor of the nightclub, leaving those in the basement trapped and unable to escape. Some reports also suggested that The Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub was issued demolition notices by both the local village panchayat and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority as it was constructed on what was once a saltpan. However, the demolition notice was stayed by the Directorate of Panchayats on appeal, allowing the club to continue to operate.