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Russian explosion 'kills scores' | Russian explosion 'kills scores' |
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At least 94 people have died following an explosion at a nightclub in the Russian city of Perm. | |
Officials said they believed fireworks caused the blast and that most victims had died from smoke inhalation. | Officials said they believed fireworks caused the blast and that most victims had died from smoke inhalation. |
More than 100 people were reported injured in the accident, which happened at 2315 local time (1815 GMT). | More than 100 people were reported injured in the accident, which happened at 2315 local time (1815 GMT). |
More than 200 revellers had been in the Lame Horse nightclub, which was celebrating its eighth anniversary, emergency services said. | |
Regional public security minister Igor Orlov told Itar-Tass news agency: "There were fireworks launched at the scene, and one hit the plastic ceiling, setting all ablaze. People panicked and succumbed to burns, general crush and gas poisoning." | |
Russian state-run TV channel Vesti-24 showed bodies piled in the street outside the club. | |
Perm is some 1,400km (870 miles) east of Moscow and has a population of 1.2 million. It is the sixth largest city in Russia. | Perm is some 1,400km (870 miles) east of Moscow and has a population of 1.2 million. It is the sixth largest city in Russia. |
Planes despatched | |
A spokesman for the prosecutor-general's main investigative unit told Itar-Tass that it was not a terrorist attack. | |
"We are talking about a failure to observe fire regulations," he said. | "We are talking about a failure to observe fire regulations," he said. |
He added that a criminal investigation into a violation of the rules had been opened. | He added that a criminal investigation into a violation of the rules had been opened. |
Regional officials said that fireworks used at the party were too big for closed premises and were intended for outdoor use. | |
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, said two planes equipped to transport people with serious burns were being sent to Perm. | Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, said two planes equipped to transport people with serious burns were being sent to Perm. |
Government officials were also leaving for the city, he said. | Government officials were also leaving for the city, he said. |
The BBC's Tom Esslemont, in Moscow, says Russia has a very poor fire safety record with hundreds of people dying in similar incidents every year. | |
Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below: | Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below: |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |