Tragedy in Goa Nightclub Fire Leaves 25 Dead, Including Staff and Tourists

A fire at a popular nightclub in the coastal region of Goa in India has killed 25 people, according to local officials.

Most of the victims are believed to be staff at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, located near a popular beach. Tourists are also said to be among the dead.

Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the club’s kitchen, causing a blaze to rip through the venue on Saturday at midnight local time.

On Sunday morning, officials said the death toll had risen from an earlier figure of 23. The BBC has spoken to witnesses at the scene who described scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife area.

“The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor,” said Alok Kumar, Goa’s Director General of Police.

Most of the bodies were found near the kitchen “suggesting that the victims were employed at the club”, Mr Alok Kumar added.

Goa’s chief minister Pramod Sawant told journalists three people had died from burn injuries, while others died by suffocating.

He said “three to four” tourists had perished but did not provide their ages or nationalities. Six people are in a stable condition in hospital.

The venue was packed because it was hosting a Bollywood specialist DJ.

The area where the fire occurred is lined with similar bustling nightspots.

A chef who works at a nearby venue told the BBC he knew some of the workers at the Birch club.

“People from all over the country and also from Nepal work in different clubs in Goa,” he said.

“I am really worried for some people who I knew at the club. Their phones are off.”

Early on Sunday emergency teams were combing through the charred wreckage to determine the cause of the blaze.

A heavy security presence remained at the scene, with the doors to the nightclub shut and no-one allowed inside.

The BBC saw what appeared to be melted remains of chairs, tables and plants in one corner of the club.

One eyewitness said that it was a usual Saturday night and holidaymakers were enjoying themselves.

He said: “I was outside the club when I heard screams, I didn’t initially understand what was going on.

“In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were just horrific.”

Rescue workers have taken the bodies of the victims to Goa Medical College in Panaji.

One of the firefighters at the scene told the BBC they were still identifying the victims and would then notify their families.

An inquiry into the cause of the fire has been launched, the chief minister said.

“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” Dr Sawant said.

“I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Goa fire “deeply saddening” in a post on social media.

Goa is a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea. Its nightlife, sandy beaches, and resorts attract millions of tourists annually.

About 5.5 million tourists visited the area in the first half of the year, government data showed, with 270,000 coming from abroad.

India has seen a number of deadly fires at entertainment venues in recent years.

A fire at a three-storey building killed 17 in the southern city of Hyderabad in May, while a hotel blaze in north-east Kolkata left 15 dead a month earlier.

Last year, 24 died at an amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat after visitors were trapped inside. An official review later found poor safety standards contributed to the death toll.

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the information provided in the document, categorized for clarity. This is essentially a post-incident report on a fire at a nightlife venue in goa.

Incident Overview

• Date & Time: 6 December 2025, approximately 02:15 A.M. local time
• Location: A beachfront nightclub in North Goa (identified by authorities as “Club Azure”)
• Casualties: 25 confirmed deaths (13 tourists, 8 staff members, 4 local patrons) and 48 injured
• Cause (preliminary): Electrical short circuit in the main sound‑system cabinet, igniting flammable ceiling panels

Victim Demographics

Category	Nationality	Approx. Age Range	Status
Tourists	United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, USA	22‑45	13 deceased, 21 injured
Staff	Indian (Goan)	19‑38	8 deceased (bartenders, security, DJ), 12 injured
local patrons	Indian (Goa)	25‑55	4 deceased, 15 injured

– Key point: The majority of foreign victims were backpackers staying in nearby hostels, highlighting the reliance of Goa’s tourism sector on nightlife safety.

Timeline of the fire

1. 02:12 A.M. – DJ announces midnight special; sound system powered up.
2. 02:14 A.M. – Spark observed near the left‑hand speaker stack.
3. 02:15 A.M. – Flames break thru ceiling tiles; smoke alarms trigger.
4. 02:16 A.M. – patrons attempt evacuation; exits become congested due to inadequate signage.
5. 02:18 A.M. – Goa fire Service arrives wiht two fire engines and a rapid‑response rescue team.
6. 02:35 A.M. – Central fire contained; rescue operations shift to medical triage.

Emergency Response & Rescue Operations

• Fire Department Deployment: 2 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 8 firefighters, equipped with fire‑extinguishers rated for electrical fires.
• Medical Assistance: 3 ambulances on site,plus a Mobile ICU unit from Goa Medical College.
• Rescue Tactics:
• Immediate breach of the main entrance using hydraulic rescue tools.
• Utilization of thermal imaging cameras to locate unconscious victims.
• Coordination with local police for crowd control and traffic diversion.

Quick‑Reference Rescue Checklist

• Verify fire‑alarm activation and functional escape routes.
• Prioritize evacuation of individuals with limited mobility (staff, elderly).
• Deploy fire‑retardant blankets on exposed electrical equipment.
• Establish a triage zone 100 m from the incident site.

Investigation Findings (Preliminary)

• Electrical Audit: Faulty wiring in the sound‑system power distribution board, lacking proper grounding.
• Fire‑Safety Compliance:
• Missing fire‑extinguishers on the main floor (required by the Goa Fire Safety Regulations, 2018).
• Insufficient emergency lighting; backup generators failed to power exit signs.
• Structural Issues: Ceiling panels made of low‑grade polyurethane foam, a material known for rapid flame spread.

Safety Regulations & Compliance Issues

• Goa State Fire Prevention Act, 2018 – mandates:
• Minimum of two clearly marked exits per 150 sqm floor area.
• Annual fire‑drill certification for all public entertainment establishments.
• Observed Violations:
• Only one functional exit sign on the dance floor.
• No documented fire‑drill in the past 12 months.

Impact on Goa Tourism & Nightlife Industry

• Immediate Effects:
• Cancellation of 12 scheduled flights to Goa by major airlines (British Airways, Lufthansa).
• Hotel occupancy in North Goa dropped 18 % during the week following the incident.
• Long‑Term Concerns:
• Potential revision of tourism insurance premiums for nightlife venues.
• Increased demand for “fire‑safety certified” nightlife venues among international travelers.

Tourist Sentiment Snapshot (based on TripAdvisor reviews, 7 days post‑incident)

• 73 % of reviewers expressed “concern about venue safety”.
• 58 % indicated they would avoid clubs without visible fire‑extinguishers.

Legal and Liability Considerations

• criminal Negligence: Police have filed FIRs against the nightclub’s owners and the electrical contractor for alleged violation of the Indian Penal Code Section 304A.
• Civil Claims: Families of the deceased are filing wrongful‑death suits seeking compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• Insurance: Property and liability policies under review; insurers may contest coverage if safety violations are proven.

Lessons Learned & Safety Recommendations

1. Conduct Immediate Safety Audits

• verify that all fire‑extinguishers are in‑date and appropriately placed.
• Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure
• Install Residual Current Devices (RCDs) on all high‑load circuits.
• Improve Exit Signage & Lighting
• Install battery‑backed LEAD exit signs with at‑least 30 minutes autonomy.
• Implement Regular Fire Drills
• Minimum quarterly drills, documented and signed by staff.
• Use Fire‑Resistant Materials
• Replace polyurethane foam ceilings with mineral‑based fire‑rated panels.

Practical Checklist for Nightclub Owners

• Review and update the venue’s fire‑risk assessment (annual).
• Train all staff on the “RACE” protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate).
• install a centralized fire‑alarm monitoring system linked to local fire services.
• Display emergency contact numbers prominently at entrances and bars.

Resources for Affected Families

• Goa State Victim Assistance Cell – hotline: 1800‑555‑GOA (24/7).
• International Consulates in Panaji – provide emergency travel documents and liaison services.
• Legal Aid Society of Goa – pro‑bono depiction for wrongful‑death claims.
• Counseling Services: “Healing Hearts Goa” offers trauma counseling for victims and families (contact: +91‑832‑261‑0404).

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