Goa Nightclub Fire: Owners Fled to Thailand Hours After Deadly Blaze Kills 25

Nightclub Owners Escape to Thailand After Fatal Fire

The owners of a Goa nightclub where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives on Sunday fled to Thailand just hours after the tragedy, Indian police have confirmed.

Authorities identified the two brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, as having boarded a flight to Phuket, Thailand, shortly after the incident at their venue, Birch By Romeo Lane.

The nightclub is located in Arpora, a busy nightlife district in Goa, a coastal state popular with domestic and international tourists.

Fireworks Triggered Deadly Blaze

Investigators believe the fierce fire was triggered by fireworks being set off inside the venue.

Police now say pyrotechnics ignited wooden ceiling beams, causing the blaze that destroyed part of the nightclub. Authorities initially suspected an exploding gas canister.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning when the venue was packed with customers who had come to hear a Bollywood DJ.

Majority of Victims Were Staff Members

The majority of the 25 victims were staff members at the nightclub. Four were holidaymakers visiting from Delhi.

Several victims were migrant workers who had traveled to Goa seeking employment, including four Nepalese nationals.

Among the dead were two brothers who were both engaged to be married next year, and four members of the same Delhi family.

Five people remain hospitalized with injuries from the fire.

Police Launch International Manhunt

Goa police have appealed to Interpol for assistance in locating and arresting the Luthra brothers.

Officers traveled to Delhi to raid the brothers’ home but discovered they had already left the country.

“It shows their intent to avoid police investigation,” Goa police said in a statement.

At least four people were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the fire, including the venue’s manager.

Nightclub Owner Expresses “Profound Grief”

Saurabh Luthra, whose social media identifies him as the chairman of the company operating the club, posted a statement on social media expressing “profound grief” but did not reference his whereabouts.

“In this hour the irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity,” Monday’s post said.

The statement added that “management” would provide “assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved.”

His brother Gaurav Luthra has not commented publicly.

Venue Layout Hampered Rescue Efforts

Eye witnesses described scenes of total panic to the BBC as people tried to flee the burning nightclub.

The main section of the venue is built on an island in the middle of a lake. Visitors accessed the club via narrow walkways, a layout that made it difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze.

Part of the venue was entirely destroyed in the fire.