23 people killed, 50 injured in fire at Arpora Nightclub in Goa. Cylinder blast or fatal negligence? Was this an accident or a tragedy caused by corruption? Authorities are investigating the security breach amid widespread anger.
Goa, North Goa: A massive fire broke out late night in the famous nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ located in Arpora. The fire was so intense that 23 people died in it, including 4 tourists and 19 employees. At the same time, about 50 people have been injured and have been admitted to the hospital. According to initial reports from the police and fire department, the fire started due to the explosion of a gas cylinder in the kitchen. But many questions are still in the air – was it really just an accident or are there some other reasons hidden behind it?
Were there any safety violations at the club?
Local officials say that there have been continuous violations of safety standards in the club. At the time of the fire the club was overcrowded and exit routes were blocked. Some reports suggest that the owners ignored safety regulations to maximize profits and that inspectors were bribed. This does not appear to be just an “accident” – many believe it was a fatal incident caused by corruption and negligence.
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How many people were injured and is their condition serious?
The number of people injured in the fire is said to be around 50. The injured were immediately admitted to the nearest hospital, the condition of many of them is said to be critical. Some of the dead lost their lives due to suffocation and some due to burning. Police and fire department are investigating the matter. Besides, postmortem and forensic investigation is also being conducted.
Is this incident a warning for a tourist state like Goa?
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said that this incident is sad and worrying. He assured that all the permissions and safety rules of the club will be fully verified and strict action will be taken. This incident has once again raised the question – Are safety standards not taken seriously in our tourist states? And how many times do we simply forget such incidents by calling them “tragic accidents” when the real culprit is greedy owners and a corrupt system?
How did the fire spread and why did it spread so fast?
According to preliminary investigation, the fire started due to the explosion of a gas cylinder near the kitchen at around 1 am. The fire then started spreading rapidly inside the club, as the place was overcrowded and emergency exit routes were blocked. People present at the spot said that there was panic and stampede during the fire. Some people managed to get out, while many got trapped and died due to suffocation.
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Why is there discussion of calling it murder and not an accident?
There is discussion in local media and many social platforms that it was not just a cylinder blast. Factors like huge crowd, violation of safety standards and bribery make it a serious man-made tragedy. Many people say that if safety rules were followed, this incident would not have been so terrible. This is a story of system negligence and profiteering.