The families of those who died in the tragic fire at a Goa nightclub have begun receiving the bodies of their loved ones. The handover took place at a medical facility in Goa, where relatives gathered in grief. The moment brought a painful closure to one part of the tragedy — but raised many more questions about how it could have happened at all.
Dancer Recalls Horror: Flames from Roof Cut Show Short
One of the club’s dancers, performing when the fire broke out, described the panic. As smoke and flames erupted from the roof, the music stopped, and performers rushed off stage. The crew helped one another escape. She said she felt lucky to be alive, thanking staff and guests who helped evacuate quickly. The sudden blaze turned a night of entertainment into chaos and tragedy.
Licence Issued Without Proper Documentation, Warns BJP MLA
A local BJP legislator alleged that the nightclub had obtained permission to operate without proper paperwork. According to him, the licence issued in 2023 lacked necessary documentation, such as no-objection certificates from pollution control or fire clearance. He said authorities simply inspected the premises and approved the club, ignoring formal safety protocols — a grave oversight in a major tourist spot like Goa.
Three Government Officials Suspended for Approving Club Operations
As the probe deepened, the state government suspended three senior officials who were responsible for granting permission to the nightclub. The suspended include the then-Director of Panchayat, a member-secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, and the Secretary of the village panchayat where the club stood. Authorities said the suspensions followed findings that permissions had been granted without the required clearances.
The move signals accountability from the government. It also hints at preliminary acceptance that systemic failures, not just individual errors, contributed to the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos, Only One Exit, Mass Panic
An eyewitness who managed to escape with injuries recalled the moment the fire broke out around midnight. He said around 70–80 people were present. When the blaze started, everyone rushed to a single exit. “Some people tried to help control the fire,” he said. “Then we saw smoke and flames. There was only one exit from where everyone came out… some got trapped.”
#WATCH | Fire at a restaurant in North Goa’s Arpora, claiming 25 lives | Ashish, an eyewitness who sustained injuries says, “The incident took place around midnight. Almost all the guests managed to come out. There were some people trapped inside. I came here around 11 PM. Some… pic.twitter.com/6VNvgphPS2
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025
His account reinforces growing concern about the club’s layout — one narrow exit, no backup escape routes, and poor emergency planning.
Aftermath: Safety, Oversight, and a Demand for Change
With bodies returned and suspensions underway, the bigger focus now shifts to how regulatory failures allowed such a disaster. Authorities face pressure to review licences, enforce safety laws strictly, and ensure no club runs without valid fire and pollution clearances.
For many in Goa — locals and tourists alike — the tragedy serves as a harsh lesson. Safety compliance and honest governance cannot be optional. The night of fun ended in grief; now, the demand is for prevention and accountability.
