A devastating fire swept through a popular nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora village on December 7, 2025, claiming 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members. The blaze broke out around midnight at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, with many victims trapped inside due to a lack of proper ventilation and emergency exits.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, which spread rapidly due to flammable materials. The victims, mostly staff members, died from suffocation as they ran towards the basement. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry and promised “stringent action” against those responsible.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹200,000 to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. The government has also initiated a safety audit of all clubs in Goa to prevent such incidents in the future