Romania disco bosses probed for suspected manslaughter over blaze

Romanians wept, cursed and prayed Sunday as they mourned the victims of a fire in a nightclub, while doctors warned the death toll could rise “significantly” because so numerous injured have severe burns.

The arrested owners of the Colectiv Club are yet to comment on Friday night’s incident, though according to the Associated Press the owners of three other nightclubs in Romania have admitted that they too failed to uphold safety standards in their venues. Witnesses say a spark from a pyrotechnics show set fire to foam decor, causing panic as people rush ed towards the venue’s single exit.

More than 12,000 people marched through Romania’s capital yesterday to commemorate the victims of a deadly nightclub fire, and the country’s president urged the public not to tolerate “incompetent” authorities on whose watch such tragedies can happen.

Shooting candles and indoor fireworks are common in bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Romania and fire regulations can be lax. “I apologize and I take responsibility”. “We consider we have been ignorant and irresponsible”.

The tragedy prompted the Romanian government to declare a three-day period of national mourning and approximately 20 clubs canceled their original Halloween plans out of respect for the deceased. However, reports suggest only one exit was open, leading to many being crushed trying to escape.

Mr. Arafat said the two had died in the hospital.

The evening ended in horror as the inferno caused a panic that killed 27 people and injured 180 others.

In the central Romanian city of Brasov, rock club Rockstadt said it was temporarily closing, planning to replace non-fireproof insulation and install sprinklers “to make absolutely certain we will never be in… that tragic situation”.

Up to 400 people were in the Colectiv club at the time and a few remain unaccounted for. A few 146 people remain in hospital, a few in critical condition suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. As the victims started pouring in, health officials said it was like “seeing casualties of a war” being brought in for treatment.

Medical sources said 10 were in critical condition.