Goa nightclub fire: Fireworks likely cause, 4 staff arrested
text_fields
Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday confirmed that four staff members of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub have been arrested following the deadly fire tragedy and announced action against officials who allowed the club to operate in violation of rules.
Preliminary investigations indicate that “electric firecrackers” were set off inside the club, triggering the blaze. Sawant added that club owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra would also be arrested soon.
The Chief Minister instructed State Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou and Director General of Police Alok Kumar to identify and take action against government officials responsible for permitting the club to operate despite multiple rule violations.
The CM held a series of meetings with senior officials from the state administration and home department to review the situation following the tragedy, which claimed 25 lives.
Police have registered an FIR against the club owners, and the DGP was directed to take strict punitive action against them. The arrested staff members include chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, Sawant said.
The government has formed a committee comprising the South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, and Director of Forensic Laboratory to investigate the incident. The committee is expected to submit its report within a week.
The Chief Minister assured that measures would be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. An advisory will be issued to all nightclubs and hospitality establishments, instructing them to implement adequate safety precautions. Government officials who allowed the club to operate in violation of rules will be suspended, Sawant added.
Authorities will also conduct an audit of clubs operating without permission and review venues where large gatherings occur.
The government announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, to be paid from the State Disaster Management Authority Funds. Arrangements will also be made to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to their native places.
The incident occurred at 11:45 pm on Saturday, and Fire and Emergency Services and police teams rushed to the site immediately. Initially, firefighters found two bodies on the floor, but later discovered 23 more bodies in the kitchen, who had died due to suffocation, the CM said.
With PTI inputs
