Scores killed in nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil
They say the fire began when a band on
stage started a fireworks display at the Kiss nightclub in the city of
Santa Maria, in Rio Grande do Sul state.
Reports say
there was only one exit and panic spread as people tried to get out.
Many victims reportedly died from inhaling toxic fumes.
The fire is now out and bodies are being removed from the scene.
Continue reading the main story
Nightclub fires
2009: Santika Club, Bangkok, Thailand - sparked by fireworks; 66 killed
2009: Lame Horse Club, Perm, Russia - sparked by fireworks; 150 killed
2003: The Station, Rhode Island, US - sparked by fireworks; 100 killed
1996: Ozone Disco Club, Quezon City, Philippines - 160 killed
1990: Happy Land, New York, US - arson kills 89 at unlicensed club
1977: Beverly Hills Supper Club, Southgate, Kentucky - 165 killed
1970: Club 5-7, Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France - 146 killed;
1942: Cocoanut Grove, Boston, US - 492 killed.
"Fire services are looking for other victims. We can't give an exact number of victims. People started panicking and ended up treading on each other," fire chief Guido de Melo told local media.
A reporter at the scene told local radio that the nightclub had a capacity for up to 2,000 people and was believed to be full on a Saturday night.
Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, officials say.
Fire crews reportedly knocked through a wall to help those trapped inside escape.
Hundreds of people have been taken to hospital.
Santa Maria is a major university city with a population of about 250,000 people.
The fire is now out and bodies are being removed from the scene.
Continue reading the main story
Nightclub fires
2009: Santika Club, Bangkok, Thailand - sparked by fireworks; 66 killed
2009: Lame Horse Club, Perm, Russia - sparked by fireworks; 150 killed
2003: The Station, Rhode Island, US - sparked by fireworks; 100 killed
1996: Ozone Disco Club, Quezon City, Philippines - 160 killed
1990: Happy Land, New York, US - arson kills 89 at unlicensed club
1977: Beverly Hills Supper Club, Southgate, Kentucky - 165 killed
1970: Club 5-7, Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France - 146 killed;
1942: Cocoanut Grove, Boston, US - 492 killed.
"Fire services are looking for other victims. We can't give an exact number of victims. People started panicking and ended up treading on each other," fire chief Guido de Melo told local media.
A reporter at the scene told local radio that the nightclub had a capacity for up to 2,000 people and was believed to be full on a Saturday night.
Thick smoke engulfed the venue after acoustic insulation caught fire, officials say.
Fire crews reportedly knocked through a wall to help those trapped inside escape.
Hundreds of people have been taken to hospital.
Santa Maria is a major university city with a population of about 250,000 people.
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