Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday confirmed the arrest of four people related to the deadly fire at a restaurant-club in North Goa's Arpora that claimed the lives of 25 people. He further announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the victims' kin and Rs 50,000 each for the injured in the mishap.
Earlier during the day in the press conference the Chief Minister had asserted that a committee has been formed to inquire into the tragedy and it has been directed to submit a report of the probe within a week.He also reaffirmed that arrangements would be made to take the mortal remains of the deceased to their native places. Three senior officials of the Goa government, including the then Director of Panchayat, were suspended on Sunday in connection with the nightclub fire tragedy for their role in allowing the facility to start operations in 2023.
At least 25 people lost their lives in the blaze that erupted in the early hours of Sunday, with four of them identified as tourists and fourteen others as staff members. The emergency teams rushed to the spot, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control.
According to the Goa police, a total of 25 deceased persons have been shifted to GMC Bambolim and the process of identifying the bodies is underway, and all efforts are being made to establish the identities at the earliest."Of the six injured persons, one has been discharged, while five continue to remain admitted and are under treatment," the police said. "An offence has been registered at Anjuna Police Station u/s 105, 125, 125(a), 125(b), 287 r/w 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The senior Police officers of Goa police are camping at Anjuna police station and closely monitoring the investigation.
Five bodies have been handed over to the relatives for final religious rites," the Goa police added.An eyewitness claimed that the blaze could have erupted from a spark on their wooden roof after a pyro gun was shot.Atleast 25 people were killed and many others injured in the fire at "Birch By Romeo Lane" in Arpora, North Goa, in the early hours on Sunday.
The government shall provide complete assistance for the transportation of the deceased to their homes. A dedicated team comprising the SDM, Police and Health Authorities have been constituted for the same. I also directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to take disciplinary actions," CM Pramod Sawant said.
Speaking to a news agency an eyewitness said, "The dancer was entertaining everyone and songs were being played. In between, a pyro gun was shot, and I believe because of it, there was a spark on their wooden roof. People thought it would be taken care of, but within two minutes, the fire spread and people could not come out. They have their kitchen in the basement, and there is no scope of exit.."
Another eyewitness who sustained injuries said that the incident took place around midnight when the party was going on."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 people tried to control the fire. Around 70-80 people were present there. There was only one exit from where everyone came out," the eyewitness said.
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