Goa Nightclub Fire Leaves 25 Dead as Investigators Probe Suspected Gas Explosion
A fire at a popular nightclub in the Indian coastal state of Goa has killed 25 people, according to local officials.
Most of those who died are believed to have been employees of the Birch by Romeo Lane venue, located near one of the region’s busiest beaches, though tourists are also among the victims.
Police say the blaze is thought to have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the club’s kitchen shortly after midnight on Saturday. Flames quickly tore through the building, prompting scenes of panic in the surrounding nightlife district.
The club’s manager has been arrested, and authorities have issued a warrant for the owner.
Scenes of Chaos as Fire Spread
Goa, a former Portuguese colony known for its beaches, nightlife and millions of annual visitors, was busy on Saturday as holidaymakers filled bars and clubs.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that the area had felt like a typical weekend evening until screams rang out.
“I was outside the club when I heard people shouting,” one witness said. “At first I didn’t realise what was happening. Then it became clear a huge fire had broken out. The scenes were horrific.”
The venue was particularly crowded as it was hosting a Bollywood DJ event. Although the main entrance is wide, firefighters struggled to reach the structure because the narrow walkway across a small lake bottlenecked access.
BBC reporters at the scene saw melted furniture and charred plants among the debris.
Victims Believed to Be Mostly Staff
Goa police chief Alok Kumar said the blaze was concentrated around the kitchen on the ground floor. Many of the bodies were discovered close to that area, indicating that most victims were likely members of staff.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said three people died from severe burns while the remainder were believed to have suffocated. He confirmed that “three to four” tourists were among the dead but did not provide further details. Six people remain in hospital in stable condition.
A local chef told the BBC he feared for colleagues who worked at the Birch venue. “People from across India — and even Nepal — work in the clubs here,” he said. “I’m worried. Some of the people I know aren’t answering their phones.”
Investigation Under Way
Throughout Sunday, emergency crews examined the charred remains of the building to determine the precise cause of the blaze. Security officers kept the area sealed, preventing anyone from entering the site.
The bodies have been taken to Goa Medical College in Panaji, where formal identification is under way. Eight victims have so far been identified as workers from the Indian states of Jharkhand, Assam and Uttarakhand.
A firefighter at the scene said teams were “still identifying victims and contacting their families.”
An official inquiry has been launched.
“Those responsible will face the strictest action,” Chief Minister Sawant said, expressing condolences to the families of the dead. “Any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply saddening”.
Growing Concerns Over Safety Standards
Goa welcomed about 5.5 million tourists in the first half of the year, including 270,000 from abroad. Opposition politicians say safety regulations have not kept pace with the rapid expansion of the nightlife industry, with new clubs opening frequently.
India has recorded several deadly fires at entertainment venues recently. Seventeen people were killed in a blaze at a building in Hyderabad in May, while a hotel fire in Kolkata the following month claimed 15 lives. Last year, 24 people died in a Gujarat amusement arcade after being trapped inside; investigators later cited poor safety standards.
