Halloween horror : At least 26 killed and more than 150 injured after a fire tears through venue during rock concert

 

An explosion and a fire at a nightclub in the Romanian capital Bucharest during a Halloween rock concert has killed 27 people.

Government officials said that at least 88 people were also admitted to hospital after the blast at the Colectiv Club. It is believe 154 people are injured in total and that the death toll could continue to rise.

The fire was believed to have started after fireworks burned through scaffolding. 

According to reports, clubgoers initially thought the flames were part of the show and did not immediately react. Fire regulations can be lax in Bucharest clubs and restaurants.

 

After the blast tore through the building, people were seen wandering around outside the club clad in metal blankets in an apparent state of confusion. People were treated for burns and other injuries on the pavement outside the Colectiv Club.

Upon hearing the news, people descended on the club looking for loved-ones.

Adding to their anxiety was the fact that many of the clubgoers were not carrying identity papers so victims could not immediately be identified.

Media reported that emergency services arrived 11 minutes after the first call at 10.32pm local time.

Victor Ionescu, who was at the club with his girlfriend, told Antena 3 TV that 'people were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke. It was total chaos, people were trampling on each other.'

A young man filmed by Antena 3 said that flames engulfed clubgoers, burning their skin and hair.