A devastating fire at a popular nightclub in Goa, India, has resulted in a heartbreaking tragedy, claiming the lives of at least 25 people, including staff and tourists. Among the deceased are four members of a single family from Delhi who had traveled to Goa for a long-awaited vacation.
According to Indian media, the horrific blaze erupted at the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in the Arpora area of Goa between Saturday night and Sunday morning. The fatalities include 20 staff members and five tourists. The four Delhi victims belonged to the Joshi family.
Bhawana Joshi, the sole survivor from her immediate family involved in the tragedy, remains in deep shock. She was at the club with her husband, Vinod Joshi, and three sisters (Kamla, Anita, and Saroj) when the incident occurred. Bhawana recounted that a loud explosion was immediately followed by flames. In the ensuing stampede, she was shoved outside, which saved her life, but all her close relatives remained trapped inside.
Police initially suspect a gas cylinder explosion as the cause of the fire, though one tourist claimed that fireworks used during a dance performance might have triggered the blaze. Fire officials confirmed that most victims died due to asphyxiation (suffocation) as many, particularly staff, were trapped on the ground floor.
The affected Joshi family had arrived in Goa last Friday and were scheduled to return to Delhi the following day. Distraught relatives in Delhi received the tragic news on Sunday morning, prompting them to rush to Goa. Following the identification of the bodies, all remains were transported to Delhi on Monday morning. Meanwhile, Goa Police have escalated their investigation against the club management and dispatched teams to Delhi to apprehend those responsible.
