'Will Extend Every Possible Form Of Support, Cooperation': Absconding Goa Club Owner Issues Statement
As many as 25 people were killed in a massive blaze at a popular nightclub in north Goa's Arpora late Saturday night.
The absconding owner of the Goa nightclub, where a massive fire tragedy claimed 25 lives, issued a statement on Monday, saying that the management will extend every possible form of assistance, support, and cooperation to the bereaved and affected.
In a statement on Instagram, the club owner Saurabh Luthra wrote: "The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch. In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity."
"The management further affirms that it shall extend every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity," he added.
The blaze at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora, about 25 km from Panaji, is believed to have intensified rapidly due to the wooden interiors and limited escape routes. Authorities suspect the fire started when “electric firecrackers” were ignited inside the club around 11:45 pm, setting off the deadly chain of events, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed.
Adding to the tragedy, the nightclub reportedly lacked a fire department No Objection Certificate (NOC), signalling severe lapses in regulatory compliance.
Among the victims were 20 nightclub employees and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Firefighters reported that most fatalities, 23 out of 25, were caused by suffocation in the underground kitchen area. These victims showed no burn marks, indicating they succumbed to oxygen deprivation, while only two bodies bore significant burn injuries.
Following the incident, police arrested several key staff members including the club’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur. FIRs were also filed against the club owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, alongside event organisers.
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