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Police Say 25 Killed in Goa Nightclub Fire at Birch by Romeo Lane

Investigators are probing suspected safety lapses at the venue, with culpable homicide charges filed.

Overview

  • Emergency services received the first call at 12:04 am after a blaze, suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion near the kitchen, tore through the Arpora club.
  • Most victims were staff members, including three women, and officials said three to four tourists were among the dead.
  • Authorities reported that three people died of burns while the rest succumbed to suffocation; all bodies were recovered and the injured are being treated in hospital.
  • The Goa government ordered a magisterial inquiry and safety audits of nightlife venues, while police registered an FIR that includes culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
  • Officials initially reported 23 deaths, but police later put the toll at 25 with six injured, and the Prime Minister announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin and Rs 50,000 to the injured.