Deadly nightclub fire is worst disaster of its kind in Romania

The Romanian government on Saturday declared three days of national mourning following the tragic deaths of 27 people killed in a freak fire, started by pyrotechnics set off during a pre-Halloween, heavy metal gig.

Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea initially said an explosion occurred at Colectiv club, located in a basement in downtown Bucharest, a city of 3 million people but authorities heading the rescue effort later said there had been a fire.

A few 50 people were taken to the Floreasca emergency hospital, the ministry said.

“Friends were looking for each other under the pile of people”, she said. Initial reports said the flames were caused by a fireworks explosion, but later reports say there is no evidence of a blast. Among those reportedly dead are GTG guitarists Vlad Telea and Mihai Alexandru.

A total of 184 injured were hospitalized, while 146 remained in hospital for further treatment for moderate or severe burn injuries, he said, adding many were in a critical condition.

The Telegraph writes that only one exit was available, forcing the crowd of over 300 people to funnel through that one door.

Fireworks and restricted exits have been a lethal combination in many nightclub fires around the world.

Another woman blamed organisers for the accident, saying: “People were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke”.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sent a message of condolences: “I am greatly saddened to see so many young lives ending so tragically”.

Arafat said hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of victims, and equipment from nonemergency hospitals had to be transferred to facilities treating the injured.

Delia Tugui, a Spanish teacher who was at the concert with her husband and son, said everybody was surprised by how rapidly the fire spread.

An official inquiry into the fire’s cause is under way, and Agerpres reports that prosecutors in Bucharest are also investigating, citing sources that refer to possible criminal charges of manslaughter and willful destruction.