Four Arrested in Goa Club Fire Remanded to Police Custody

While at least 25 people lost their lives in the fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday, it was determined that 4 of them were tourists and 14 were restaurant staff. Emergency teams were dispatched to the scene and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked throughout the night to bring the situation under control.

Among those arrested were General Manager Rajiv Modak (49), born in RK Puram, New Delhi; Priyanshu Thakur, 32, Door Manager, from Malviya Nagar, New Delhi; Rajveer Singhania, 32, Bar Manager, from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh; and General Manager Vivek Singh (27) from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar said an FIR has been registered against the owners of the ship, Saurav Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.

According to Goa Police, a total of 25 bodies have been transported to GMC Bambolim and the process of identification of the bodies is ongoing and all efforts are being made to identify them as soon as possible.

“Of the six injured, one has been discharged, while five are hospitalized and are receiving treatment,” police said.

“An offense has been registered at Anjuna Police Station u/s 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b), 287 r/w 3(5), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Senior police officers of Goa Police are camping at Anjuna Police Station and closely monitoring the investigation. Post-mortem examination of 17 bodies has been carried out. Five bodies have been handed over to their relatives for final religious rites,” Goa added. Police.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness claimed that the fire may have started from a spark after a firearm was fired on the wooden roof.

Speaking to ANI, an eyewitness said, “The dancer was entertaining everyone and songs were being played. Every now and then a fire gun was fired and I think that’s why sparks appeared on their wooden roofs. People thought it would be taken care of, but within two minutes the fire spread and people could not go out. They have a kitchen in the basement and there is no way out.”

Another eyewitness who was injured said that the incident occurred at midnight while the party was continuing.

“The incident occurred around midnight. Almost all of the guests managed to get out. There were people trapped inside. I came here around 23:00. Someone tried to control the fire. Around 70-80 people were there. There was only one exit from where everyone left.”

Autopsies have been completed for 17 people who died in the fire that broke out at Arpora nightclub on Sunday.