‘Got Lucky As Our Cab Was Late’: Survivors Recall Narrow Escape From Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the devastating nightclub fire in Arpora that left 25 people dead on Sunday. An FIR has been registered against the club’s owner and general manager, both of whom will be arrested, officials confirmed.

Inquiry begins as safety violations suspected

Speaking to PTI, Chief Minister Sawant said early findings suggest the nightclub had not followed mandatory fire safety rules. He added that strict action would be taken not only against the club management but also against the officials who allowed it to run despite the violations.

“This is an unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season,” Sawant said. “We will conduct a detailed inquiry and stringent action will be taken against the guilty.”

The nightclub, located in

Arpora village about 25 km from Panaji, had opened only last year and was a popular destination for tourists and locals.

What did the victims’ family say?

Families of the victims gathered at Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim, where several injured people are being treated. Many expressed shock and grief at the sudden tragedy.

Narayan Mathur, who lost two nephews in the fire, said, “Those were my nephews, sons of my elder brother. Both of them died. They worked in the kitchen of the restaurant. A neighbour also died in the fire. All of us belonged to Jharkhand.”

Police confirmed that 25 people had lost their lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of the remaining seven victims are being verified.

Dr Avanish, a tourist from Delhi, said he survived only because of an unexpected delay. “Actually, we got lucky because our cab driver was late, or else we would have been there,” he said, recalling the moment he learned about the fire.

Many other visitors and employees were not as fortunate. Several victims were trapped inside as the fire spread rapidly through the structure, investigators said.

#WATCH | Dr Avanish from Delhi, who had planned to visit the ill-fated restaurant where a fire broke out, says, "...Actually, we got lucky because our cab driver was late or else we would be here..." https://t.co/qSth23gSZe pic.twitter.com/fPoSx1Pfcq

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025 " rel="nofollow">http://

#WATCH | Dr Avanish from Delhi, who had planned to visit the ill-fated restaurant where a fire broke out, says, "…Actually, we got lucky because our cab driver was late or else we would be here…" https://t.co/qSth23gSZe pic.twitter.com/fPoSx1Pfcq

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

Legal action

The police and fire department are continuing their probe to determine the exact cause of the blaze. While officials have not yet confirmed the trigger, the initial suspicion is that the nightclub failed to comply with fire safety norms.

“We are investigating and legal action is being taken,” an official said.

The state government has assured families that the inquiry will be thorough and that all responsible parties will be held accountable.