Narrow exits, no ventilation, palm-leaf roof: How a Goa nightclub became a death trap

Dubai: It began like any other party night in Goa. Around 1 am on Sunday, nearly a hundred tourists were packed into Birch By Romeo Lane, a flashy island-style nightclub tucked near the backwaters of Arpora. The venue was hosting a much-promoted “Bollywood Banger Night.” A belly dancer swayed to the classic Sholay track Mehbooba O Mehbooba as the crowd whistled, clapped, and held up their phones. Then came the spark. According to eyewitness accounts cited by NDTV and India Today, fla