The tourist capital, Goa, witnessed a tragic event as 25 people died after a fire accident took place in a nightclub. Several people, including staff and tourists were succumbed to the fire at the Birch, by the Romeo Lane, a popular club and cocktail bar, in Arpora in North Goa. The chief minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, stated that it was a terrible day for the state.
He also confirmed that he has visited the site of the tragedy, and an inquiry into the matter has been ordered, with the government declaring that anyone found at fault will be strictly punished. Reports confirm that over 100 people were in the venue when the fire started. A live performance was being staged with a band and belly dancers, as videos show fire starting from behind the stage.
Officials suggest that the fire began on the first floor and spread through the building, and an initial inquiry further suggests that the people who died were the ones trapped inside the basement, and were suffocated due to the fire and smoke. Firefighters were working the entire night to rescue the people trapped in the building and suppress the fire that spread wildly, causing a major tragedy. Officials confirmed that most of the dead were the club’s workers trapped inside the building’s basement.
The chief minister confirmed that there were at least three or four tourists among the dead, but the process of identification is still ongoing. Goa police officials confirmed in an interview with the Indian Express that the guests were on the first floor, witnessing the live performance at 11:45 pm. They also confirmed that since the guests were on the first floor as soon as the fire began, they reached the exit and were safe, while the workers who were inside the basement were trapped, as there was no exit in the basement.
A report filed later suggested that the club had a license, but lacked several emergency provisions, including the lack of an exit gate in the basement where the staff was trapped. The prime minister has also expressed grief over the situation, as the kin of the victims continue to cry over their dead family members.
