GOA, India — A devastating fire at the Birch Nightclub, a popular hotspot in Goa, has claimed the lives of 25 people, including nightclub staff and visiting tourists, authorities confirmed Sunday. The tragedy has shocked India’s tourism and nightlife sectors, raising urgent questions about fire safety regulations at entertainment venues.

Incident Overview

The blaze erupted at the club, located near a popular Goa beach, while it was packed with revellers attending a Bollywood DJ event. Initial reports suggested a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen as the cause. However, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant later ruled that theory out, stating that indoor fireworks were now believed to have triggered the fire.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as smoke and flames spread rapidly through the venue. Many victims died of suffocation, while others succumbed to burn injuries. Emergency services faced difficulties accessing the club due to a narrow crossing over a small lake leading to the main structure.

Victims and Arrests

Of the 25 fatalities, 21 were staff members from various Indian states — including Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka — and one was from Nepal. Four tourists from the same Delhi family were also killed.

Authorities have arrested four individuals, including the nightclub manager, and issued an arrest warrant for the owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who reportedly fled to Thailand hours after the incident. Police have requested assistance from Interpol in locating the brothers.

Government Response and Investigation

Chief Minister Sawant confirmed that emergency teams are conducting thorough investigations of the charred wreckage. He emphasized that a full report would be released within a week and assured that anyone found negligent would face strict legal action.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident “deeply saddening.” Opposition politicians have criticized the rapid proliferation of new clubs without proper safety checks and called for stricter fire and safety regulations.

Safety Concerns in India

India has experienced several deadly fires in recent years, highlighting poor safety standards in entertainment and hospitality venues:

• Hyderabad, May 2025: Fire in a three-storey building killed 17.
• Kolkata, April 2025: Hotel fire claimed 15 lives.
• Gujarat, 2024: Amusement park arcade fire killed 24 visitors trapped inside.

Many of these incidents, including the Birch Nightclub fire, underscore the urgent need for enforcement of safety codes, crowd management, and emergency preparedness to prevent future tragedies.

Tourism and Public Reaction

Goa attracts millions of tourists annually, including approximately 5.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025, with 270,000 from abroad. The fire has cast a spotlight on the safety of crowded nightlife venues and prompted calls for stricter oversight to protect both domestic and international visitors.