Romania was plunged into mourning on Saturday after 27 people were killed and nearly 200 injured when a fire ripped through an underground nightclub in Bucharest.
Romania was plunged into mourning on Saturday after 27 people were killed and nearly 200 injured when a fire ripped through an underground nightclub in Bucharest.
Survivors spoke of the horror that unfolded when fireworks — set off during a pre-Halloween gig by a heavy metal band — unleashed a blaze, followed by a stampede as terrified clubbers sought the exit.
As the government declared three days of national mourning Prime Minister Victor Ponta said foreigners were among the injured, including two Spanish people, an Italian and a German, authorities said.
President Klaus Iohannis said there were indications that safety regulations had been ignored at the club, and called for a swift investigation.
“I am saddened, but also revolted that a tragedy of this scale could have taken place in Bucharest,” Mr Iohannis said.
“It is unimaginable that there could have been so many people in such a (small) space and that the tragedy happened so quickly because simple rules were ignored,” he added after visiting the scene.
“I hope that the authorities manage their inquiry with speed and rigour.”
The blaze broke out at around 11:00 pm (2100 GMT) Friday at the Colectiv nightclub, where according to witnesses between 200 and 400 youngsters had gathered for a performance by rock group Goodbye to Gravity.
Twenty-six people died in the club and one died in hospital, the secretary of state for the interior, Raed Arafat, said after a meeting of a national emergency committee.
Of the nearly 200 injured, 146 people were hospitalised for burns, smoke inhalation and other injuries, he said. Hospital sources said 10 were in a critical condition.
The band’s singer and bassist were said to be in a serious condition.
