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Stampede in Italian Nightclub Leaves 6 Dead and Dozens Hurt At Least 6 Dead and Dozens Hurt After Stampede in Italian Nightclub
(35 minutes later)
ROME — At least six people died and about 40 others were injured, more than a dozen of them seriously, in a stampede early Saturday at a nightclub in central Italy where a popular rapper was scheduled to perform, officials said. ROME — At least six people were killed and about 40 others were injured, more than a dozen of them seriously, in a stampede early Saturday at a nightclub in central Italy where a popular rapper was scheduled to perform, officials said.
Panic broke out after midnight at the Lanterna Azzurra club in Corinaldo, a town near the city of Senigallia on the Adriatic coast. One unidentified witness interviewed by RAI News, the national news channel, said that pepper spray had been fired inside the club, setting off panic. But investigators did not confirm that.Panic broke out after midnight at the Lanterna Azzurra club in Corinaldo, a town near the city of Senigallia on the Adriatic coast. One unidentified witness interviewed by RAI News, the national news channel, said that pepper spray had been fired inside the club, setting off panic. But investigators did not confirm that.
Reports said that five of the people killed were minors, and that another was the mother of one of the young fans who had gone to the club to hear a concert by Sfera Ebbasta, an Italian rapper.Reports said that five of the people killed were minors, and that another was the mother of one of the young fans who had gone to the club to hear a concert by Sfera Ebbasta, an Italian rapper.
Luca Cari, a spokesman for the national fire department who was at the scene, said by phone that the situation had been “dramatic” and that it was still unclear how the events unfolded. Officials were working “to understand what set off the panic,” he added.Luca Cari, a spokesman for the national fire department who was at the scene, said by phone that the situation had been “dramatic” and that it was still unclear how the events unfolded. Officials were working “to understand what set off the panic,” he added.
Italian news media showed images of dozens of ambulances outside the club and rescue workers tending to survivors. Officials said 14 people were hospitalized in serious condition. Italian news media showed images of dozens of ambulances outside the club and rescue workers tending to survivors.
Officials said 14 people were hospitalized in serious condition, Roberto Papa, a medical official in Ancona, said during a news conference on Saturday morning that and seven were taken to Ancona’s main hospital in critical condition, all in their teens or early 20s. Several others were still under observation.
Cristian Carrozza, provincial commander for the carabinieri, Italy’s military police, told RAI that about 1,000 people were in the club at the time of the stampede. Investigators were interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of the incident, he said.Cristian Carrozza, provincial commander for the carabinieri, Italy’s military police, told RAI that about 1,000 people were in the club at the time of the stampede. Investigators were interviewing witnesses to determine the cause of the incident, he said.
Oreste Capocasa, police chief of the nearby city of Ancona, told RAI that many people were hurt when metal railings on a ramp outside one of the emergency exits collapsed.Oreste Capocasa, police chief of the nearby city of Ancona, told RAI that many people were hurt when metal railings on a ramp outside one of the emergency exits collapsed.
People tumbled off the ramp, and others fell on top of them, he said. Early reports from Italian news media had indicated that one or more of the emergency exits had been blocked, but Mr. Capocasa said that was not the case.People tumbled off the ramp, and others fell on top of them, he said. Early reports from Italian news media had indicated that one or more of the emergency exits had been blocked, but Mr. Capocasa said that was not the case.
The news agency ANSA said the police were interviewing six bouncers who worked at the club during the evening.The news agency ANSA said the police were interviewing six bouncers who worked at the club during the evening.
Deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio published the names of the victims on his Facebook page. All the minors were between 14 and 16. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on his Facebook page that investigators would find the people responsible for the episode. “Whoever for malice, stupidity or greed transformed an evening of festivities into tragedy,” he wrote.
“It’s an absurd way to die,” Mr. Di Maio wrote, pledging that the government would do everything in its power to determine what had happened, “and if all the security measures had been respected.” In an interview on RAI news, Mr. Salvini said the club was packed beyond capacity.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini suggested that the club was packed beyond capacity. In an interview on Sky news, he said that the club could legally hold 871 people, but that initial investigations suggested that more had been inside. If true, that could have been “disastrous,” he said.
Mr. Salvini also said that investigators were looking into whether some kind of toxic material was used inside the club, provoking the stampede. “They’re talking about ammonia, pepper spray, toxic substances, but don’t let me get into things I can’t divulge,” he said.
Noting that Saturday is the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception, a national holiday, Mr. Salvini said, “It will be a holiday of tears that we wouldn’t have wanted to shed.”