At least 23 people were killed after a devastating fire broke out late Saturday night at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora near Baga beach, according to police.
The fire erupted around midnight and is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder blast, officials said. Multiple fire tenders were deployed, and rescue operations continued into early Sunday morning.
Police believe most of the victims were staff members, as the majority of bodies were recovered from the kitchen area on the ground floor. Two more bodies were found on the staircase. Senior officers, including the DGP and teams from North Goa district, rushed to the scene.
Goa DGP Alok Kumar confirmed: “So far, 23 casualties have been reported… The fire has now been brought under control. The source and cause are yet to be ascertained. Teams are engaged in rescue and evacuation.”
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed grief, describing it as “a very painful day for all of us in Goa.” He visited the incident site and ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety and building norms were followed, warning that any negligence will face strict legal action.
Images and videos circulating on social media show fireballs, thick smoke rising from the building, and rescue personnel rushing injured people into emergency vehicles.
