Credited from: BBC
Two brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, suspected of involvement in a deadly fire at their nightclub in Goa, have been detained in Thailand. This incident, which occurred on December 6, resulted in the deaths of 25 individuals, mostly staff members, during a busy nightlife period. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed their detention, stating, "We will bring them to Goa within a short span of time" after the Indian consulate coordinated with local authorities, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.
The fire reportedly started due to fireworks being ignited inside the club, a situation exacerbated by the alleged lack of safety measures, such as emergency exits and fire alarms. Survivor Bhawana Joshi, who lost four family members in the fire, expressed outrage at the management's actions, criticizing their negligence. "All this happened only because precautionary measures were not taken at the club," she stated, demanding accountability from the Luthra brothers, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.
In the wake of the disaster, Goa Police have detained six individuals linked to the investigation, including club staff who allegedly oversaw the venue's operations. While some focus on the ownership of the club, their lawyer insists that the brothers were merely licensees and not liable for the managerial failures. Authorities are moving forward with their investigation, having already issued a Non-Bailable Warrant against the Luthra brothers, reflecting the serious nature of the incident, as reported by BBC and India Times.
The government has begun offering compensation to the families of the victims, indicating a commitment to support those affected. Goa's Chief Minister mentioned that further safety audits and measures will soon be implemented across entertainment venues to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future, aiming to enhance overall public safety in the region according to Channel News Asia and BBC.