Panaji: Weekend revelry turned into a horrific tragedy as a massive fire tore through a nightclub in North Goa after midnight on Sunday, claiming 25 lives and leaving six persons injured.

Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation, as the victims got trapped on the ground floor of `Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora, 25 km from Panaji, a fire official said.

The construction was unauthorised but the demolition notice served to the club had been stayed by a higher authority, claimed a village official, as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant vowed action against officials who allowed it to operate despite the violation of safety norms.

The deceased included four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identity of the remaining seven was yet to be established, the police said.

President

See Full Page