Goa-Night club fire, 25 deaths, including 20 employees…4 arrested including club manager, 3 officers suspended

25 people died in a fire in a night club in Goa’s Arpora area late Saturday night, out of which 20 were club employees. Goa Police has arrested 4 people including the club manager.

CM Pramod Sawant said, according to preliminary investigation, the fire broke out due to bursting of firecrackers. Some people came out but some could not, due to which they lost their lives. A complete investigation is being conducted, and the report will be received within a week. The family of the deceased will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh.

The Goa government has suspended three officials, former Panchayat Director Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, former GSPCB Member Secretary Dr. Shamila Monteiro and Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar for negligence in granting permission to the night club in 2023.

Initial investigation found that fire safety rules were not followed in the club. Officials and FSL team are investigating the cause of the fire. Expressing grief over the accident, the Prime Minister has announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.

8 pictures related to the incident…

Dancers and bands were performing in the club at the time of the fire.

After the fire, there was an atmosphere of chaos in the club.

After the fire, smoke was seen filling the club, due to which people were suffocated.

This popular party venue in Arpora village, about 25 km from Panaji, was opened last year. The fire broke out in Birch near Romeo Lane just after midnight.

The people injured in the incident were sent to the hospital.

Due to the fire, all the goods kept inside the club were burnt.

Police and investigation officers are present at the spot.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reached the spot as soon as the information was received.

Fire started from kitchen, dead bodies found on stairs

Goa DGP Alok Kumar said that bodies of 25 people have been recovered. Most of those who died were employees working in the club. DGP said- The fire first spread from the kitchen on the ground floor to other parts of the club. That’s why most of the bodies were found in the kitchen area. Two people died on the stairs while trying to escape.

Eyewitness said- people trapped in ground floor kitchen

According to eyewitness Fatima Shaikh, as soon as the fire broke out, there was a huge stampede inside. At that time, a weekend party was going on in the club and about 100 people were on the dance floor. As soon as smoke and flames were seen, many people ran downstairs in panic and accidentally reached the kitchen on the ground floor. The staff already present there also got trapped. Fatima said,

The exit path was very narrow, due to which people could not get out. Within minutes the entire club was engulfed in flames, with decorations made of palm leaves burning instantly. Many people somehow came out, but some remained inside.

CM Sawant said – will take action against those responsible

CM Sawant posted on X and said that today is a very sad day for Goa. 23 people died in the massive fire that broke out in Arpora. I am extremely saddened and express my deepest condolences to all the affected families in this difficult time. I went to the spot and saw the situation and have ordered an investigation into this incident.

He told- The investigation will find out how the fire broke out and whether fire safety and building rules were properly followed there or not. Whoever is responsible for this incident, strict action will be taken against him under the law. Any kind of negligence will not be tolerated at all.

Who said what on the incident-

• President Draupadi Murmu said that he was deeply saddened by the tragic incident of fire in North Goa, in which many precious lives were lost. My deepest condolences to the grieving families. May they find courage in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
• Home Minister Amit Shah said that the local administration is doing rescue and relief work and is providing necessary care to the affected people. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
• Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the accident by posting on X. He wrote- This is not just an accident but a criminal failure of security and governance. A thorough, transparent investigation must establish accountability and ensure that such preventable tragic events do not happen again.
• Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that such tragic incidents should be thoroughly investigated and strict accountability should be fixed. I also appeal to the Congress workers there to provide all possible help to the affected families and stand with them in this hour of grief.

BJP MLA Demanded for safety audit of clubs

BJP MLA Michael Lobo said that it is necessary to conduct safety audit of all the clubs in the state. He said that tourists always consider Goa a safe place, but this incident is very worrying and such incidents should not happen in future.

He stressed that the safety of tourists and the employees working in these clubs is of utmost importance. Lobo said that most of the people in the accident died of suffocation while running towards the basement.