Panjim: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured after a major fire broke out at a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora, North Goa, on Sunday. Four among those killed were tourists, the police said. While 14 were staff, the identity of seven people is yet to be established.
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant offered his condolences and said that strict action will follow.
The blaze was reported around midnight, and emergency teams rushed to the spot. The cause of the fire is still unknown though some people reported a cylinder blast.
“The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in 25 deaths, out of whom 4 confirmed to be tourists, 14 were staff members, and the identity of seven is yet to be established,” Goa Police told news agency ANI.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, while emergency teams worked through the night to bring the situation under control. Samples have been collected from the spot to try and ascertain the
exact cause of the fire.
“Six persons are injured, and their treatment is going on. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The police and fire department investigation is in progress. Legal action is being taken,” the police said.
“An unfortunate incident occurred in a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora. At 12.04 am, the police control room received information about a fire, and the police, fire brigade, and ambulances were rushed to the spot,” Goa DGP Alok Kumar told the news agency.
The police said that the fire has been brought under control, and all the bodies recovered. The total death count is 25. The cause of this incident is being investigated and action will be taken based on the findings.
The chief minister called it a serious setback for the state and said strict action would follow. He also ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“The incident is very unfortunate for a tourism state like Goa. The people who run such things illegally, and a fire incident occurred…23 people have lost their lives…The government will conduct an inquiry into this incident. The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire, and those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law….,” Sawant posted on X.
Officials said all efforts are underway to provide adequate medical support to the injured and assistance to the families of those who died.