Goa Nightclub Fire News Live: CM Sawant to hold presser at 6 pm; Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch detained, FIR against owners of nightclub

In the latest developments, an FIR has been registered against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of Goa nightclub after 25 killed in fire.

Police also said that Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar has been detained in connection with Goa nightclub fire.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will address the press today at 6 pm on the nightclub fire situation.

NCP (SP) MP Fauzia Khan called the fire incidnet a “very tragic and unfortunate” incident. She said, first and foremost, the government must provide immediate assistance and compensation to the victims.

“Secondly, what will an inquiry achieve? Why weren’t preventive measures in place? Why did the government not ensure fire safety arrangements? Why was there no proper monitoring? Whose responsibility is it to carry out inspections? Who will take responsibility for such a massive loss of life? The government will not. Will conducting just an inquiry be enough to resolve this?” she added.

A relative of the victim of the Goa club fire says, “None of the kitchen staff were burned. Only customers outside were affected by the fire. Goa has such a large medical college, yet bodies are being kept on the floor in extreme heat, causing a strong stench. People were being told to take the bodies away. We do not have homes in Goa. This is the first time hearing that an entire kitchen staff died in a fire.”

A magistrate-led inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the fire at Goa club and investigate any safety violations.

Authorities are currently identifying the victims using Aadhaar and ID cards and returning the bodies to their families

North Goa SP Harishchandra V. Madkaikar said the identification process of the Arpora nightclub fire victims is ongoing, with 8–10 individuals identified so far.

“Doctors have begun conducting postmortems. An FIR has been registered against those responsible for the incident,” he added.

Goa Health Secretary Yatindra Maralkar said there are 5 patients who have 12% injury and they are recovering very fast.

“I hope that by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow…One one girl has greater injuries, rest are in better condition…25 deaths have been reported, 6 have been identified. Families are coming, I think all will be identified by tomorrow…” he added.

Congress leader and Goa LoP Yuri Alemao said that double engine government has failed to protect people’s lives in the state.

“…25 innocent lives are lost due to failure in administration, complete collapse and crisis in the law and order situation in the state of Goa, led by Dr Pramod Sawant and the double-engine Govt of the BJP. They have failed Goans miserably. Never in the history has such an incident taken place that 25 lives have been lost. This club was illegal and it was asked to be demolished. Who stayed this? They have to be booked immediately. Under moral responsibility, this Govt has to resign and sent home…” he said.

Forensic team has arrived at the restaurant where the deadly fire broke.

1- October 2015: Colectiv nightclub fire in Bucharest, Romania, killed 64 people. Pyrotechnics during a performance by the metalcore band Goodbye to Gravity ignited the club’s flammable polyurethane acoustic foam. The fire spread rapidly.

2- December 2016: ‘Ghost Ship’ warehouse fire in Oakland, California, claimed 36 lives. The deadliest blaze in the history of Oakland was triggered during an electronic music and dance party.

3- January 2022: Fire at nightclub in Yaounde, Cameroon, killed 16 people. Blaze occurred due to fireworks lit while champagne was being served in the club.

4- January 2022: 19 killed in fire at Sorong nightclub in West Papua province, Indonesia. Club was burned by two groups which clashed inside the building.

5- August 2022: 23 charred to death at Mountain B nightclub fire in Bangkok, Thailand. Possible short circuit or an issue with the electrical system believed to have triggered the blaze.

6- October 2023: Fire at nightclub complex in Murcia, Spain, claimed 13 lives. Fire was possibly triggered by an electrical fault.

7- April 2024: 29 killed in blaze at Masquerade nightclub, Istanbul. Fire broke out when the venue was closed for renovation work.

8- March 2025: Fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia, killed 62 people. Blaze broke out when sparks from indoor fireworks hit the ceiling and set it alight.

-PTI

The viral videos show a dance performance to the tunes of the Sholay chartbuster – Mehbooba Mehbooba – as fire breaks out in the background.

Kin of the Goa nightclub fire victims gather outside the morgue to identify bodies, PTI reported, adding that some of them have demanded that the nightclub owner arrange for the mortal remains to be transported back home in Jharkhand.

The Goa Church has expressed grief over the death of 25 people who lost their lives in the nightclub fire.

“It is with a heavy heart that we extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families affected by the tragic incident. In this time of profound grief, we raise a prayer, asking God to surround the bereaved with His comfort and strength,” Fr Barry Cardozo said in a statement.

“We also pray for the healing of those injured and for courage to all those who are personally impacted by this tragedy,” he added.

“Arpora is not an isolated tragedy. It is a stark reminder of an administration in complete collapse. Good governance does not mean turning a blind eye while tourist hubs operate without basic safety norms,” former Deputy CM Vijay Sardesai said on X.

Goa AAP on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the CM Pramod Sawant-led government, stating that it has lost the “moral right” to stay in power. The statement comes after the fire at the nightclub claimed the lives of 25 people.

Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar, in a post on X, said he is deeply saddened by the tragic incident.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the Goa nightclub fire. My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the swift recovery of those injured,” he wrote on X.

Goa DGP Alok Kumar tells ANI that no arrest has been made yet and that the police are verifying ownership details. “FIR has been registered against two owners and others from the management,” he told news agency ANI.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Arpora, North Goa, which has claimed precious lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured,” Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu posted on X.

“The fire accident in Arpora, Goa, is a heartbreaking tragedy. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, and prayers for strength during this difficult time. Wishing a swift and complete recovery to all those injured,” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on X.

“The news of several people dying in a massive fire late at night in a nightclub in Goa is extremely heartbreaking,” Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren wrote on X.

He added, “May Marang Buru grant peace to the souls of the departed and give strength to the grieving families to endure this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of those injured in the accident.”

Goa CM Sawant said that the club managers have already been arrested, and an arrest warrant has been issued against the owners of the Birch, ANI reported.

Following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 25 people, the Office of the collector of North Goa has issued helpline numbers.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in fire tragedy in Arpora Goa. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. May God grant courage and strength to all those impacted by this tragedy,” wrote JP Nadda on X.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the tragic incident occured due to the failure of safety and governance.

“Deeply pained by the tragic fire in Arpora, Goa, that claimed more than 20 lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough, transparent probe must fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don’t occur again,” he wrote on X.

“We were not allowed to go inside… There were tourists inside… there was a show yesterday. The club would have been even more crowded had this tragedy not occurred. The show started at 10-10:30 pm yesterday,” Birch security guard told news agency ANI.

A man told news agency ANI that he lost two nephews and one neighbour to the tragic fire incident in Goa.

The nightclub, where the tragic incident took place, opened last year and is located around 25 km from the state capital, Panaji.

“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,” Home Minister Amit Shah said on X (formerly Twitter).

He added, “My sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Some eyewitnesses also claim that the fire started on the club’s dance floor following a cylinder blast, PTI reported. At the time of the incident, eyewitnesses claim, around 100 people were on the dance floor.

At least 25 people have died in a fire at Birch restaurant in Arpora last night. News agency ANI has posted visuals from outside Goa Medical College, where the bodies have been kept in the mortuary.