Fire at a nightclub in Goa claimed at least twenty-five lives, primarily staff members trapped in the basement

CALANGUTE: At least twenty-five people died and several injured after a fire broke out around midnight on Sunday at the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Sankwadi, Arpora.The blaze, one of the worst recorded in Goa, trapped most of the victims — mainly staff members — in the basement of the restaurant-club. Several tourists were also among those who lost their lives.

According to Goa DGP Alok Kumar, the victims include four tourists and fourteen staff members, while the identities of seven others are still being verified. Six people were injured and are currently receiving treatment.Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, said, “It’s the first time such a major incident has happened in Goa. It’s an unfortunate incident. The place was functioning without proper permissions. I condole the deaths. The Goa government will hold an inquiry.”Goa DGP Alok Kumar, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and other senior officials also inspected the area. Calling the fire a major setback to Goa’s reputation as a safe, tourist-friendly destination, MLA Lobo said, “This is a very disturbing incident. Most of the dead are our locals who were working in the basement. We need to do a safety audit of all such places in the coastal tourist belt.”