Bhubaneswar: At least 23 persons were killed and 50 were injured in a blaze at a nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora village following a cylinder blast late Saturday night, police said.
According to reports, most of the victims were staff members working at the venue. The blaze was triggered by a cylinder blast inside Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub that opened last year and is located about 25km from the state capital, Panaji.
“A total of 25 people have died, including four confirmed tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven are yet to be established. Six others are injured and undergoing treatment”, maintained Goa Police Chief Akok Kumar said.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site shortly after the fire was brought under control, said that while three people died of burn injuries, the remaining victims appeared to have succumbed to suffocation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after a nightclub blaze in the coastal state claimed 23 lives.
“The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi posted on X.
“Spoke to Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” Modi said.
“An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured would be given₹50,000,” the PMO said in a separate statement.
Expressing grief over the fire mishap in Arpora that claimed the lives of 23 people, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on X, President Murmu wrote, “Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Agencies
