Charred remains at the nightclub where a fire broke out due to a cylinder blast, in North Goa district, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. At least 25 persons were killed and six others suffered injuries in the incident, according to officials. Photo: PTI
Congress demands probe, accountability in Goa nightclub fire tragedy
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a thorough probe into the Goa nightclub fire, which killed 25 people and injured several others
The Congress on Sunday (December 7) demanded a comprehensive investigation and strict accountability for the tragic fire at a nightclub in Goa that killed 25 people, with Rahul Gandhi claiming it was a criminal failure of safety and governance.
The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, early Sunday, killing at least 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members, and injuring six others.
'Avoidable tragic accident'
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the blaze.
“This avoidable, tragic incident is an irreparable loss, and I pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have been injured", he said, adding that such tragedies require a comprehensive investigation, strict accountability, and immediate steps to ensure that all fire safety norms are enforced, so that such devastating incidents would not be repeated.
My deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the 23 people who lost their lives in the tragic fire at Arpora, Goa. This avoidable, tragic incident is an irreparable loss, and I pray for the speedy recovery of all those who have been injured.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 7, 2025
Such tragedies calls…
The veteran leader also appealed to all the Congress workers in the coastal region to extend every possible support and assistance to the affected families and stand with them in this hour of grief.
'Failure of governance'
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said he was deeply pained by the tragic fire in Arpora.
Also read: Goa nightclub fire: Narrow exits, palm decor, no fire safety norms led to city's deadliest disaster
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough, transparent probe must fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don't occur again,” Gandhi said in an X post.
Deeply pained by the tragic fire in Arpora, Goa, that claimed more than 20 lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 7, 2025
This is not just an accident, it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough,…
Congress General Secretary in charge of organisation, K C Venugopal, sought fixing of accountability for the tragic blaze so that such incidents are not repeated.
"The fire at a nightclub in Arpora, Goa, is shocking, and I convey my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims who lost their lives," he said in a post on X.
Also Read: Goa nightclub fire: General manager held, owner faces arrest for 25 deaths
"This tragedy took place because of the negligence of the authorities in enforcing fire safety norms. We urge a thorough and impartial investigation to identify those responsible and to ensure accountability, so that such a tragedy is never repeated," he wrote further.