The Goa nightclub fire shocked the nation, but what was more shocking was that the owners of the nightclub flew to Thailand just after the incident, as per police reports. Authorities further confirmed that the two brothers, Gaurav and Sourav Luthra, boarded a flight to Phuket just after the tragedy.
The 25 people who lost their lives in the fire at the Birch in Goa were mainly migrants and workers, while four people were tourists from Delhi. Police have appealed to Interpol for assistance in locating the Luthra brothers. The State’s police confirmed that they went to their Delhi house for the raid, but found that they had already left the country, which confirmed that they were fleeing from the investigations.
Sourav Luthra, who is recognised as the chairman of the hotel chain, expressed grief regarding the incident on his social media handle, but did not mention his location. The post further read that the management will assist the victims of the accident, as he was fully aware of their situation and was ready to cooperate. While Gaurav Luthra, his brother, did not make any public comment.
The fire broke out in the early hours in the Birch, located in Apoora, which is a hub for nightlife. A Hollywood DJ was performing when the mishap occurred. The beautiful location had later turned into a blotch with ash and burned bricks. Located on an Island in a lake, the main area was accessible only through a small walkway.
While initially the police confirmed that a gas canister explosion was the main cause behind the fire, it was later revealed that it was pyrotechnics that ignited wooden ceiling beams. The authorities clarified that most of the victims were migrant workers, including Nepalese nationals who came to Goa for employment. While the bodies of all victims had been handed to their kin, the emotions remained disturbed as many lost their loved ones.
