Goa Nightclub Fire: All 25 victims identified; 20 staff, 5 tourists among dead

Goa Nightclub Fire: The deadly fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa’s Baga yesterday claimed the lives of 25 people, including five tourists. At least six people were injured, and five of them are undergoing treatment at hospitals. Authorities have now released the complete list of victims, confirming that the majority of those who died were staff members of the nightclub.

The “electric firecrackers” set off inside the nightclub triggered the fire at 11:45 pm on Saturday. At the time, around 100 people were on the dance floor, and a live performance was underway. In the chaos that followed, several people rushed downstairs towards the kitchen to save their lives, where they became trapped along with staff members, a tourist told PTI. A fire brigade official said most deaths were due to suffocation, as victims were unable to escape from the lower floor and kitchen area.

Goa Nightclub Fire: Full list of victims

Of the 25 who lost their lives, 20 were staff members from multiple states, including Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Four of them were Nepalese nationals, according to the list issued by the state government.

Goa Nightclub Fire: Safety violations under scanner as 4 arrested

Serious safety lapses have come to light following the tragic fire at the nightclub. A PTI report revealed that the establishment was operating without a mandatory fire department NOC, raising questions over how it was allowed to function. Fire brigade officials shared that narrow access lanes made it extremely difficult for fire engines to reach the premises. Water tankers had to be stationed nearly 400 metres away from the venue, significantly slowing down firefighting efforts.

Additionally, cramped entry and exit points, including small doors and a narrow bridge, made it difficult for the people to escape the nightclub.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the club’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur have been arrested. An FIR has also been filed against the club’s owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, along with the event organisers.

Three state officials, including the then Director of Panchayat, have been suspended for their alleged role in granting permissions that enabled the nightclub to begin operations in 2023. The Goa government has also set up a probe committee and instructed it to submit a detailed report within a week.

CM Sawant also announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. He said that the nearest kin of each deceased will receive an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh, while those injured will be given Rs 50,000 from the State Disaster Management Authority funds.