Panaji, Goa: Grief and anxiety gripped the morgue of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Sunday, as relatives of the victims of the devastating nightclub fire gathered in large numbers, awaiting news about their loved ones. The massive blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, which erupted after midnight on Sunday, claimed 25 lives and left six others injured, leaving families and friends in shock.
The victims included four tourists, 14 staff members, and seven others whose identities are yet to be established. Many of the deceased were from states outside Goa, and some of the families demanded that the nightclub owner make arrangements to transport the bodies back home.
Relatives from Jharkhand Demand Repatriation of Bodies
Among the distraught relatives were villagers from Jharkhand, whose kin had been working as cooks and helpers at the nightclub. Some of them refused to accept the bodies locally and insisted that the nightclub owner should arrange for them to be sent back to their native village.
Nandlal Nag, a security guard from Arpora who hails from Jharkhand, told PTI that four people from his village were among those killed. “One of them is my brother’s son. All of them were working as helpers and cooks at the nightclub. They came to Goa from Jharkhand about five years ago and have been employed in various hotels and nightclubs since,” Nag said.
He added, “What will we do with the bodies here? The owner of the hotel should make arrangements to transport them to our village in Jharkhand.”
The scene at the morgue reflected the deep anguish of families who had traveled long distances to ensure that their loved ones were identified and laid to rest properly. Police and hospital staff were engaged in identifying bodies, some of which were charred beyond recognition, and completing postmortem formalities.
Other Families in Mourning
In addition to relatives from Jharkhand, a group of five persons from Assam was also seen outside the morgue, visibly distraught. Though they refused to speak to the media, one among them indicated that some of the victims were their friends.
A senior police official explained that the identification of all bodies would take at least a day, as the postmortem procedures and panchanama formalities needed to be completed before the mortal remains could be handed over to their families. These formalities are part of standard protocol in cases involving accidental deaths and mass casualties, ensuring proper legal documentation and investigation.
The Aftermath of the Fire
The tragic incident at Birch by Romeo Lane has sent shockwaves through North Goa, a region popular among tourists and known for its nightlife. Eyewitnesses have recounted harrowing scenes, including explosions of LPG cylinders, dense smoke, and frantic attempts to escape from the basement where many staff members were trapped.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the nightclub was operating without several mandatory permissions and was built on reclaimed saltpan land, in violation of environmental regulations. Demolition notices issued earlier by the local village panchayat and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority had been stayed on appeal, allowing the nightclub to continue operations.
Police have filed an FIR against Saurabh Luthra, the owner, and the general manager of the nightclub. Local authorities have also highlighted disputes involving the landowners and business partners that could have contributed to lapses in operational and safety protocols.
Identifying Victims and Providing Support
Authorities are working meticulously to ensure that the victims are identified accurately. The process involves cross-verification with relatives, examination of personal belongings, and forensic analysis where necessary. Once identified, the bodies will be handed over to the families for proper cremation or burial.
Efforts are also being made to provide medical support to the injured and psychological support to families traumatized by the sudden loss. The incident has raised pressing concerns about safety standards at nightclubs and other public entertainment venues, with calls from local leaders and the public for stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
A Community in Shock
The fire has left a lasting impact on the local and extended community. Families who had migrated from other states for work in Goa’s hospitality sector now face the grim task of identifying and burying their loved ones far from home. Many of the victims were young, economically active individuals supporting families in their native states, which adds an additional layer of tragedy to the disaster.
Residents of Arpora and nearby villages have expressed outrage over the lack of compliance with safety norms, as the fire exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the management of nightclubs, including narrow exits, insufficient fire-fighting measures, and improper storage of hazardous materials.
The incident has reignited discussions about licensing, safety audits, and stricter monitoring of entertainment venues, with authorities facing pressure to ensure accountability and prevent such incidents from recurring.
Moving Forward
As families wait for the bodies and mourn their loss, officials continue to work round the clock to investigate the cause of the fire, provide compensation and support to the bereaved, and ensure that the injured receive timely medical care. The tragedy has prompted both local and national attention, highlighting the need for stringent oversight and proactive measures in public safety.
For the families of the victims, the days ahead will involve not only grieving their loss but also navigating legal, logistical, and administrative challenges to bring the mortal remains home and seek justice for the preventable tragedy that unfolded in North Goa.
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