Staff and Tourists Among 25 Killed in Goa Nightclub Fire

A deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub on Goa’s coast has killed 25 people, including staff members and several tourists.

sarah

Dec 7, 2025 - 14:14

Staff and Tourists Among 25 Killed in Goa Nightclub Fire

Twenty-five people have died in a fire at a popular nightclub on the Goa coast, India, according to local authorities.

Most of the deceased are believed to be staff at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, located near a popular beach. Tourists are also reported to be among the victims.

Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the club's kitchen around midnight local time on Saturday, setting the entire club ablaze.

On Sunday morning, officials said the death toll had risen from the previously reported 23. They spoke with witnesses at the scene, who described a panic situation in the bustling nightlife area.

Goa's Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, said, "The fire was mostly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor."

Most of the bodies were found near the kitchen, which "suggests that the deceased worked at the club," Mr. Alok Kumar added.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters that three people died from burns, while others died from suffocation.

He said "three to four" tourists were killed, but did not disclose their age or nationality. Six people are in stable condition in the hospital.

The venue was packed as a Bollywood specialist DJ was hosting.

The area where the fire broke out is home to similarly bustling nightspots.

A chef working at a nearby venue said he knew some of the workers at the Birch Club.

"People from all over the country and even Nepal work at different clubs in Goa," he said.

"I'm really worried for some of my acquaintances at the club. Their phones are off."

Emergency teams were investigating the charred debris on Sunday morning to determine the cause of the fire.

Heavy security was present at the scene, with the nightclub's doors locked and no one allowed inside.

An eyewitness said it was a typical Saturday night and holidaymakers were having fun.

He said: "I was outside the club when I heard screams. I initially didn't understand what was happening.

"After a while, it became clear there was a huge fire. The scenes were horrific."

Rescuers have taken the bodies of the victims to Goa Medical College in Panaji.

A firefighter at the scene told the BBC that they are still identifying the victims and will then inform their families.

The Chief Minister said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.

Dr. Sawant said, "Those found responsible will face the strictest possible action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with strictly."

"I am deeply saddened and express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the fire in Goa in a social media post as "very tragic."

Goa is an old Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea. Its nightlife, sandy beaches, and resorts draw millions of tourists each year.

Government data shows that approximately 5.5 million tourists visited the region in the first six months of the year, 270,000 of whom were from abroad.

Entertainment destinations in India have many There have been a number of fatal fires in recent years.

In May, a fire in a three-story building in the southern city of Hyderabad killed 17 people, while a month earlier, a hotel fire in northeast Kolkata killed 15.

Last year, 24 people died after being trapped inside an amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat. An official review later found that poor safety standards also contributed to the deaths.