Goa nightclub fire kills 25: Owners flee to Phuket, safety violations cited

• A fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Goa on December 7 killed 25 people.
• Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket, Thailand, hours after the fire; Interpol/CBI are involved in their apprehension.
• An FIR for culpable homicide cites critical lapses like no fire safety equipment, missing emergency exit, and lack of permissions; several staff arrested.
• The club operated after its license expired in March 2024, and the local panchayat failed to seal it; other 'Romeo Lane' venues in Goa are now sealed.
• A magisterial inquiry committee is investigating, and all Goa nightclubs are ordered to conduct internal safety audits.

Why It Matters: Owners' flight after a deadly fire raises critical questions about safety and justice.