Kristina, the Kazakh belly dancer at Goa nightclub fire controversy, was performing without business visa

Kristina, originally from Kazakhstan, had applied for a business visa, but it is not sanctioned yet.

New Delhi: Kristina, the Kazakh national, who was performing a ‘dance at the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, didn’t have the business visa to perform in India, the police said on Tuesday, 09 December 2025.

25 people were killed when a massive blaze erupted at the Goa nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ on Sunday, December 9. The Birch by Romeo Lane is a popular party venue at Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital Panaji, and it had opened last year.

Video shows Kristina rushing out in panic

A video was earlier circulated on social media showing the bursting of electric firecrackers and the blaze appearing from the roof of the nightclub. It shows Kristina, who was performing belly dance, and band members, rushing out in panic as the fire spread rapidly.

A senior police officer at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) told PTI that Kristina, originally from Kazakhstan, had applied for a business visa, but it is not sanctioned yet.

What did Kristina say about the incident?

Kristina was in the middle of her act when the fire alarm went off, and within seconds, people around her began shouting and running toward the exit. In her panic, Kristina tried to rush to the green room to grab her things, but a crew member stopped her. She later realised that this warning may have saved her life.

Kristina said the fire began during her second performance because of a short circuit. “The music stopped all of a sudden. I didn’t know why. I looked around, confused, and then I saw people running. I didn’t know where to go. I was crying and shaking.”

Who is Kristina?

Kristina is a professional belly dancer from Kazakhstan who became known worldwide after surviving a tragic fire at a nightclub in Goa. On Saturday, December 6, she was performing at Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa when flames and smoke suddenly erupted. The fire was reportedly triggered by fireworks used inside the club. A video of Kristina continuing her performance as the fire spread behind her quickly went viral on social media.

(With PTI inputs)