Panaji: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant confirmed that the tragic fire at the Arpora nightclub was caused by internal fireworks and not by a gas cylinder explosion, as initially speculated. The venue reportedly had limited exits, trapping several people inside and resulting in multiple fatalities. Among the deceased are four tourists from Delhi, while ten victims are staff members from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
A fact-finding committee has been set up and instructed to submit its report within a week. So far, four persons have been arrested, and a Goa Police team has reached Delhi to apprehend the nightclub owners.
The government has also constituted a committee headed by the Revenue Secretary to carry out a comprehensive audit of all nightclubs in Goa. This panel will examine permissions, identify illegal operations, and publish new SOPs and safety advisories for nightlife establishments.
CM Sawant announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh from the Disaster Management Relief Fund to the families of each deceased. The injured will receive ₹50,000. A special committee under the SDM has been formed to coordinate the transportation of bodies to their respective home states and to Nepal.
