Goa fire mishap: PM Modi expresses grief, announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for kin of victims
New Delhi, Dec 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress over the fire mishap in Goa's Arpora on Sunday and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50, 000 to those injured.
A fire at Arpora's Birch by Romeo Lane has claimed 25 lives, including 4 tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of 7 victims are yet to be confirmed. Six people are injured and are undergoing treatment.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected."
"An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
The blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane, a club in the bustling Baga area that draws large crowds due to its proximity to one of Goa's most frequented beaches.
According to police officials, the inferno is suspected to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion inside the premises.
The sudden blast is believed to have left little time for those inside, many of them staff members, to escape.
Fire tenders from multiple stations were immediately deployed, and firefighters battled the flames well into the early hours of Sunday.
Rescue teams continued their efforts until dawn, sifting through debris in search of survivors and attempting to control residual hotspots.
Authorities confirmed that a significant number of the deceased were employees working at the club when the incident occurred. Senior officials, including the Director General of Police and teams from North Goa district, arrived at the site shortly after the fire was reported to coordinate rescue and relief operations.
Investigations are underway, and further details are awaited.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Terrible tragedy. A cylinder explosion in a crowded club points to gross negligence. Where were the fire safety checks? This happens too often in India. Announcements after the fact are not enough. We need proactive enforcement of building and safety codes to prevent such incidents.
Visiting Goa is on so many people's bucket lists. It's shocking to hear about such a disaster in a tourist hotspot. Hope the injured recover fully. The quick response from the PM and CM is appreciated, but the focus now must be on supporting the victims' families and ensuring this never happens again.
Very sad. 25 lives is a huge number. Most victims are from working-class backgrounds—staff members. Rs 2 lakh is too little for a life lost. The government should also ensure long-term support for their families, like education for children and a pension for dependents. Jai Hind.
Thoughts with everyone affected. The bravery of the firefighters who battled the blaze all night should also be acknowledged. Hoping the investigation is thorough and leads to real accountability, not just a report that sits on a shelf.
A respectful criticism: While the PM's announcement is good, it feels like a standard response now. The real test is in systemic change. How many more "cylinder blasts" and "short circuits" will we accept before mandatory, surprise safety inspections become the norm across all states? Prevention is key.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.