PANAJI, 7 December (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over a midnight fire at a popular Goa nightclub that claimed 23 lives, describing the Arpora incident as “deeply saddening” and offering condolences to the bereaved families while praying for the swift recovery of the injured .

In a statement on X, he revealed having spoken directly with Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant about the situation, affirming that the state government is extending all possible assistance to those impacted.

The inferno erupted around 12:04 a.m. at Birch by Romeo Lane, a bustling restaurant-cum-nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora-Baga tourist belt, triggered by a suspected gas cylinder explosion in the ground-floor kitchen .

Most victims, believed to be club staff, were found in the kitchen and on the staircase, unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames, as confirmed by Goa DGP Alok Kumar. Fire tenders, ambulances, and police teams mobilized swiftly, controlling the blaze by early Sunday morning after recovering all bodies .

Chief Minister Sawant labeled the day “very painful for all of Goa,” ordered a high-level inquiry into potential safety lapses, and vowed strict action against those responsible .

The tragedy in Goa—a prime destination attracting over 5.5 million tourists in early 2025—has intensified demands for rigorous fire safety audits at entertainment venues.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar