Delhi restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra have been arrested in Thailand after fleeing India following the deadly Romeo Lane Goa fire. Their detention comes days after a massive blaze at their Goa nightclub killed 25 people and left several others injured. Viral photos from Thailand show the brothers with their hands tied, standing next to local police. The arrest marks a major development in the Romeo Lane Goa fire case.
Indian authorities confirmed that a special team has already reached Thailand and will bring the brothers back to India within 24 hours. The Luthras, who own the Romeo Lane chain with outlets in 22 cities and four countries, escaped to Phuket just hours after the tragedy. They now face charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence related to the Romeo Lane Goa fire.
How the Fire Broke Out
The fatal incident took place late Saturday night during a musical event at ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ in north Goa’s Arpora village. Nearly 100 people, mostly tourists, were enjoying live performances when the Romeo Lane Goa fire broke out. According to initial reports and videos, electric firecrackers used during the show might have triggered the blaze.
However, the fire turned catastrophic due to severe safety violations. Investigators found that the club had used flammable décor materials and did not have functioning fire extinguishers or alarm systems. The access road to the nightclub was extremely narrow, forcing fire engines to park nearly 400 meters away. This delay made rescue operations extremely difficult as the Romeo Lane Goa fire continued to spread.
Most of the victims were found in the basement and died from inhaling toxic smoke. Among the 25 deceased, 20 were staff members and five were tourists. Families of the victims are now demanding strict action and accountability for the negligence that caused the tragedy.
FAQs
Q1: What caused the Romeo Lane Goa fire?
A: Early investigations suggest electric firecrackers used during a live show may have started the Romeo Lane Goa fire.
Q2: Why were the Luthra brothers arrested in Thailand?
A: They fled India hours after the incident, leading Thai authorities to detain them for their role in the Romeo Lane Goa fire case.
Q3: How many people died in the Goa nightclub tragedy?
A: A total of 25 people lost their lives, including tourists and staff members.
Q4: Were there fire safety violations at the venue?
A: Yes, officials found flammable décor, non-functional fire extinguishers, and a narrow access road that delayed rescue efforts.
