Prime Minister Narendra Modi (ANI Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep grief over the Arpora nightclub fire tragedy in Goa and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those who died. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).In a post on X, the PMO said, “An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM.” PM Modi took to X early in the morning to express his condolences, calling the Arpora fire tragedy “deeply saddening.” He wrote, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.” PM Modi added that he had spoken to Goa CM Pramod Sawant and that the state government was providing all possible assistance to those affected. The late-night blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub located around 25 km from Panaji, claimed at least 25 lives and left about 50 injured, officials said. Several of the victims were staff members working at the venue.Goa DGP Alok Kumar told PTI that a cylinder blast inside the establishment, which opened last year, caused the fire. Fire and emergency teams battled the blaze through the night, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.Goa CM Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, termed the incident “unfortunate” and said a detailed probe had been ordered. “The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire, and those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law,” he said.
