Party-goers across Goa remain shaken days after Birch fire that claimed 25 lives

Days after the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, shockwaves continue to reverberate across Goa’s nightlife community. What should have been a fun weekend of music and celebration turned into one of the state’s deadliest club tragedies, claiming 25 lives — 20 staff members and 5 tourists.

As investigations deepen and grief-stricken families seek answers, party-goers and regulars across Goa are demanding accountability and long-overdue reforms.

'WHAT HAPPENED IS VERY SAD AND SCARY'

The absence of emergency exits at Birch intensified the chaos that night, causing a near-stampede as over 80–100 guests struggled to escape. Most victims died due to suffocation after being trapped in the basement.Abhi (full name withheld on request), a Delhi local now settled in Goa, says he is still unable to process what happened.

“A friend of mine lost four family members that night. I was saved only because my plans changed at the last minute. But it could have been us. What happened is very sad and scary. It makes you rethink how safe these places really are.”

SAFETY RULES THAT EXIST BUT ARE OFTEN IGNORED

Artistes and performers across the state say they frequently raise concerns about inadequate precautions at clubs and event venues. Priya (name changed on request), a belly and fire dancer, explains, “Our contracts list safety requirements like fire extinguishers, blankets, or ensuring fire acts are done outdoors.

But half the time management cuts corners. They hire whoever is cheapest, not safest.”

LOCALS FEAR A TOURISM BACKLASH

For locals who rely on seasonal work, December is their most crucial earning period. Rocky (full name withheld), who works in Arpora, says, “Tourists come here thinking Goa is glamorous and safe. After this tragedy, people will think twice. For workers like us, that’s terrifying.”Shankar, another seasonal worker, adds, “Many owners focus on crowds and revenue, not safety.

That needs to change if we want tourism to not suffer. Safety can’t be optional anymore.”As December festivities approach, the mood in the state is sombre. The music will return, but every party-goer is now hoping that action is swift and rules are strictly enforced.

A narrow escape

Brian Martins, the bass player performing that night at Birch, says he is haunted by the “what ifs.”“We usually wait in the basement between sets. If we were there at that moment, I don’t think we’d be alive.

I can’t stop thinking about how close we were to being trapped,” he says.Filmmaker and Goa resident Apurva Asrani wrote on Instagram about the tragedy, calling it a “result of greed, negligence and the unchecked race to attract tourists at any cost.” He highlighted issues ranging from unsafe indoor fireworks to corruption in inspections, saying Goa’s once-peaceful landscape is now overrun with illegal constructions, overcrowded lanes, and an industry “focused more on profit than people.

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