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Nightclub Fire Kills Over 230 People in Brazil
2013-01-28 08:41:12 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Yangyang
Brazilian police have confirmed that more than 230 people have been killed in a fire at a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil.
Hundreds of others have been injured in the disaster in Santa Maria, at the southern tip of Brazil near the borders with Argentina and Uruguay.
Reports say the death toll from the fire on Sunday could rise as an investigation of the blaze continues.
Local reports say college students were having a party in the nightclub when the fire broke out.
A band member performing on stage reportedly lit fireworks that apparently caused the fire, forcing partygoers to flee towards the only exit.
Authorities say 500 people were in the nightclub when the fire broke out.
The vast majority of the victims, most of them university students, died from asphyxiation. Others were crushed in the stampede.
Santa Maria Mayor Cezar Schirmer has declared a 30-day mourning period for the victims of the fire.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff also cut short her visit to Chile.
She visited relatives of victims, urging the country to stand together in the wake of the tragedy.
"There's a mobilization of resources to take out the bodies, which is the main thing we can do for the victims' families at this point, and also to treat the injured as quick as possible. I would also like to say to the Brazilian people and to the people of Santa Maria that we stand together at this time, and that even though there's a lot of sadness, we will pull through."
Reports say the nightclub, which can hold 2,000 people, was popular among local youths and college students.
One of the club's owners was reportedly taken in to police custody.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation..................................... .............................MORE
2013-01-28 08:41:12 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Yangyang
Brazilian police have confirmed that more than 230 people have been killed in a fire at a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil.
Hundreds of others have been injured in the disaster in Santa Maria, at the southern tip of Brazil near the borders with Argentina and Uruguay.
Reports say the death toll from the fire on Sunday could rise as an investigation of the blaze continues.
Local reports say college students were having a party in the nightclub when the fire broke out.
A band member performing on stage reportedly lit fireworks that apparently caused the fire, forcing partygoers to flee towards the only exit.
Authorities say 500 people were in the nightclub when the fire broke out.
The vast majority of the victims, most of them university students, died from asphyxiation. Others were crushed in the stampede.
Santa Maria Mayor Cezar Schirmer has declared a 30-day mourning period for the victims of the fire.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff also cut short her visit to Chile.
She visited relatives of victims, urging the country to stand together in the wake of the tragedy.
"There's a mobilization of resources to take out the bodies, which is the main thing we can do for the victims' families at this point, and also to treat the injured as quick as possible. I would also like to say to the Brazilian people and to the people of Santa Maria that we stand together at this time, and that even though there's a lot of sadness, we will pull through."
Reports say the nightclub, which can hold 2,000 people, was popular among local youths and college students.
One of the club's owners was reportedly taken in to police custody.
The cause of the blaze is still under investigation..................................... .............................MORE
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