Authorities in India have launched an international search for two nightclub owners who allegedly fled the country just hours after a devastating fire killed 25 people at their upscale venue in Goa.
Police confirmed that brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Birch By Romeo Lane, boarded a flight from Delhi to Phuket, Thailand, soon after the blaze tore through the club early Sunday morning.
Fire Likely Triggered by Indoor Fireworks
Investigators now believe the inferno was sparked by pyrotechnics igniting wooden ceiling beams during a live Bollywood DJ performance. Initially, the cause was suspected to be an exploding gas canister.
The nightclub, located in Goa’s buzzing Arpora nightlife hub, was packed with visitors when flames engulfed the structure. The club’s layout built partly on an island in the middle of a lake and accessible only through narrow walkways made firefighting operations extremely difficult. A large section of the venue was completely destroyed.
Majority of Victims Were Staff; Tourists Also Among Dead
Of the 25 people who lost their lives, most were staff members working the night shift. Four visitors from Delhi were also among the dead. Five more individuals remain hospitalised.
Several victims were migrant workers from other states and countries, including four Nepali nationals. Among the dead were two brothers, both engaged to be married next year, and four members of the same Delhi family, who had come to Goa for a holiday.
Police confirmed that all bodies have been returned to families for final rites.
Owners Escape India, Interpol Assistance Requested
After discovering that the Luthra brothers had fled, Goa Police sought Interpol’s assistance for a Red Corner Notice to facilitate their arrest abroad.
“It shows their clear intent to evade investigation,” police said in a statement. Officers who raided the Luthras’ Delhi home found it locked.
Social Media Statement, But No Clarity on Whereabouts
Saurabh Luthra posted a message expressing “profound grief” and offering condolences, but made no mention of fleeing India. His brother Gaurav has not issued any public statement.
The owners’ company has said it will assist families of victims, but police have criticized the brothers for absconding instead of cooperating.
Arrests Already Made
Police have arrested at least four individuals, including the nightclub’s manager, as part of their investigation into safety violations and negligence.
Authorities say initial evidence indicates the venue failed to adhere to fire safety norms, with flammable materials, restricted exits, and improper fire suppression systems all contributing to the tragedy.
The incident has reignited debate over safety standards at high-end nightlife establishments in Goa, a state that attracts millions of tourists each year.
