PHUKET, THAILAND – Indian authorities sought international help after two nightclub owners allegedly fled to Thailand following a fire in Goa that killed 25 people.
Deadly blaze in upscale Goa nightclub
A devastating fire broke out in the upscale “Birch by Romeo Lane” nightclub in North Goa in the early hours of Sunday. Flames spread rapidly inside the venue, and firefighters needed hours to bring the blaze under control. According to officials, 25 people died in the fire.
Most victims suffocated in the basement and kitchen areas after wooden parts of the club caught fire. Among the dead were at least 14 employees of the establishment.
Owners’ alleged escape route to Phuket
Just hours after the catastrophe, the club’s owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, reportedly left India. Their destination was Phuket, a popular Thai resort island. They booked seats on IndiGo flight 6E1073 from New Delhi to Phuket, which departed at 5:40 a.m. and landed at 11:06 a.m.
When Indian police raided their residence in New Delhi, the brothers had already disappeared and an international search was launched. Their last known action was a social media post by Saurabh Luthra expressing “deep sorrow” without revealing his whereabouts.
Interpol alert and possible Thai role
Indian authorities turned to Interpol to secure the arrest of the fugitives and applied for a warrant. As the trail led directly to Phuket, Thai police could soon be drawn into the case. The brothers were believed to be on the tourist island, where searches across numerous villas and resorts could prove challenging.
After such a tragedy, the report said the international community would be watching closely, making a prolonged period in hiding appear unlikely.
Early investigation points to pyrotechnics
Initial investigations indicated that electrical fireworks used as pyrotechnic effects likely caused the fire. Such special effects were not unusual in nightclubs, according to officials. In the cramped and apparently poorly secured building, the fire developed extremely quickly and guests had hardly any chance to escape.
Goa’s minister Pramod Sawant ordered a comprehensive judicial inquiry into the incident. Authorities also detained four people in connection with the blaze.
Compensation and safety checks across Goa
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance for victims and their families. Bereaved families were to receive 200,000 rupees (about 71,000 baht), while injured survivors would get 50,000 rupees. At the same time, the government ordered safety inspections in all nightclubs in the state.
Goa is one of India’s top tourism destinations, drawing 5.5 million tourists in the first half of 2025 alone, including 271,000 foreign visitors. The fire and subsequent manhunt raised wider questions about responsibility and accountability in the country’s booming nightlife sector.
Accountability questions after the fire
A commentary linked to the case questioned the morality of leaving the country so soon after the tragedy. It described how, just hours after a deadly blaze and a smoke-blackened basement, the operators were already on a flight to Phuket, publicly “shocked” yet quietly gone.
“What does it say about responsibility when those who should be providing clarity are the first to leave the country?”
said an unnamed commentator, raising doubts about the owners’ willingness to face the investigation.