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Dozens killed after explosion at Bucharest nightclub Dozens killed after fire and explosion at Bucharest nightclub
(35 minutes later)
An explosion at a nightclub in the centre of Bucharest has left at least 27 people dead and 180 injured, with some Romanian media reporting that the death toll could be as high as 40. A fire and explosion at a nightclub in the centre of Bucharest has left at least 27 people dead and 180 injured.
At the time of the explosion on Friday night, there were 300 to 400 people in Colectiv Club. Some remain unaccounted for. There were 300 to 400 people in the Colectiv Club at the time on Friday night. Some remained unaccounted for early on Saturday.
According to one witness speaking to Romanian media, a pyrotechnic display around the stage set fire to nearby objects. The witness said that firefighters were on the scene less than five minutes after the explosion. Another witness told Reuters that a pillar and the club’s ceiling caught fire and then there was an explosion and heavy smoke. According to one witness speaking to Romanian media, a pyrotechnic display around the stage set fire to nearby objects. The witness said firefighters were on the scene less than five minutes later. Another witness told Reuters that a pillar and the club’s ceiling caught fire and then there was an explosion and heavy smoke.
“There was a stampede of people running out of the club,” a man who escaped without shoes told Reuters.“There was a stampede of people running out of the club,” a man who escaped without shoes told Reuters.
An hour after the explosion, some people were still being treated on the streets outside, though most of the wounded had been taken to nearby hospitals. Two of the band playing on stage are said to be in critical condition. A young woman who sustained minor injuries described the club bursting into flames. “In five seconds the whole ceiling was all on fire. In the next three we rushed to a single door,” she told television station Antena 3.
The victims were admitted to 10 hospitals in Bucharest, said Raed Arafat, the head of emergency response at the interior ministry.
“The situation is slowly stabilising ... we have many people with burns, intoxicated with smoke and people squashed,” he said.
Some people were initially treated on the streets outside and others taken to hospitals. Two of the band playing on stage were said to be in a critical condition.
Romania’s interior minister, Gabriel Oprea, was at the scene, along with emergency services. Victims were taken to 10 hospitals around the city.Romania’s interior minister, Gabriel Oprea, was at the scene, along with emergency services. Victims were taken to 10 hospitals around the city.
Romanian media reported that a code red warning was issued, with off-duty doctors and nurses at nearby hospitals being called in to help deal with the emergency. Romanian media reported that a code red was declared, with off-duty doctors and nurses at nearby hospitals being called in to help deal with the emergency.
Romania’s health minister, Nicolae Bănicioiu, said that “every effort is being made to save those who can be saved. The victims are being transported to emergency hospitals. Doctors and nurses have been called in from home, ventilators have been redistributed from other hospitals”. Romania’s health minister, Nicolae Bănicioiu, said that “every effort is being made to save those who can be saved. The victims are being transported to emergency hospitals. Doctors and nurses have been called in from home, ventilators have been redistributed from other hospitals.”
Many of the victims did not have identification on them, so the government has set up a hotline for those who believe that people they know may have been at the club. Many of the victims did not have identification on them. The government set up a hotline for people who might have known someone at the club.
President Klaus Iohannis said he was shocked by the deaths. “It is a very sad day for all of us, for our nation and for me personally,” Iohannis wrote on his Facebook page. “I am deeply grieved by the tragic events that happened this evening.” President Klaus Iohannis said he was shocked by the deaths. “It is a very sad day for all of us, for our nation and for me personally,” he said in a statement published online. “I am deeply grieved by the tragic events that happened this evening.
He added: “I assure the families affected by this terrible event of the full support of those involved in the rescue operations and I ask them to trust that the responsible institutions are doing their best to limit the effects of the catastrophe. I urge you all to stand together by the grieving families and prove our solidarity and compassion.” “I assure the families affected by this terrible event of the full support of those involved in the rescue operations and I ask them to trust that the responsible institutions are doing their best to limit the effects of the catastrophe. I urge you all to stand together by the grieving families and prove our solidarity and compassion.”
One line of inquiry being pursued by investigators, according to local media, was whether the club had the necessary fire safety permits.One line of inquiry being pursued by investigators, according to local media, was whether the club had the necessary fire safety permits.
An emergency meeting of cabinet ministers was set for early on Saturday.An emergency meeting of cabinet ministers was set for early on Saturday.
The British Foreign Office said it was not aware of any Britons involved in the incident.The British Foreign Office said it was not aware of any Britons involved in the incident.