Firework explosion kills dozens at a nightclub in Bucharest during Halloween party

Firefighters at the scene of the explosion

A firework explosion at a nightclub in Bucharest has killed at least 27 people, with as many as 180 others wounded. The blast unfolded at a Halloween party at the Colectiv club, and as many as 400 young revellers were inside at the time. It is believed that pyrotechnics used during a live rock concert inside the venue - a basement inside a Communist-era factory - misfired because they were poorly fitted. The spark ignited some of the polystyrene decor, causing fire to spread to the ceiling and the club to fill up with smoke. There was only one emergency exit available, and many revellers did not immediately react because they thought the flames were part of the show.
"It took two or three seconds to ignite the whole roof," Alexandru Alexe told Sky News.
The social activist also alleged that "valuable time was lost" as firefighters entered the burning building from the wrong entrance - and claimed ambulance crews took 30 minutes to arrive after the first emergency call was made. At present, 155 people are being treated across 10 hospitals - and at one treatment centre, 14 patients are in a critical condition. Another hospital has nine people in a serious condition, while a third facility has three people in intensive care who suffered severe burns.
According to local media reports, the drummer and bassist of the band on stage are among those who remain in a serious condition. One woman inside the club told Romanian TV there was fire "all over the place", adding: "I saw people changing their mood from happiness to deep panic."

                                                                                           (C)AP

Some victims have been left with severe burns - while others were being resuscitated on the street outside the venue. Sixty ambulances and fire engines were at the scene - and injured partygoers have been sent to hospitals throughout the capital. An Interior Ministry spokesman has warned the death toll is likely to rise, and many victims are yet to be identified.
"We have many people with burns, intoxicated with smoke and people squashed," Raed Arafat added.
One eyewitness said there was a stampede of people running out of the club after the fire, which is one of Bucharest's worst incidents in decades. Another added: "People were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke. It was total chaos, people were trampling on each other."
The country's president, Klaus Iohannis, has expressed his "complete sympathy and solidarity with the families of those affected". Prime Minister Victor Ponta is cutting short a visit to Mexico and flying home in light of the tragedy. An investigation into the incident has begun, and an emergency meeting of cabinet ministers is taking place later this morning. The owner of the nightclub is helping police with their inquiries, according to journalist Lucian Lipovan.

Source: SkyNews