Two brothers wanted in connection with a deadly fire at their nightclub in India's Goa state, which killed 25 people, have been detained in Thailand, India's ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, told the BBC.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of Birch By Romeo Lane club, fled to Phuket shortly after the incident earlier this week.
They will be sent back [to India], Mr. Singh asserted on Thursday, a day after a court in Delhi refused to grant them protection from arrest and the Goa government sought the revocation of their passports.
The brothers have not made any public statements; however, their lawyer described the situation as a witch hunt during court proceedings.
The tragic incident occurred early on a Sunday morning when a fire broke out in the club located in a popular nightlife area. Investigators suspect the fire was caused by fireworks being set off inside the venue.
Most victims were club staff members, with five being tourists. Police attempted to raid the brothers' Delhi home after the fire but found they had already fled the country, prompting a collaboration with Interpol to track them down.
Saurabh Luthra, who identifies himself as the chairman of the club's operating company, expressed his profound grief on social media, stating, The management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, pledging assistance and support.
As of Wednesday, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the arrest of six others in relation to the incident, with more arrests expected soon.
Goa, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, sees millions of tourists every year, raising serious concerns about safety following this tragedy.
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