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| 'Complete panic' as 245 killed in Brazil nightclub fire - USA TODAY Posted: 27 Jan 2013 08:59 AM PST A blaze at a Brazilian nightclub left 232 dead early Sunday morning, in what appears to be the world's deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade. More than 100 were injured when the fire broke out at 2 a.m. in Santa Maria, Brazil, at a nightclub called Kiss, which was hosting an event for a local university. Television images showed smoke pouring out of the nightclub as shirtless, young male partygoers joined firefighters in wielding axes and sledgehammers, pounding at windows and walls to break through to those trapped inside. Teenagers sprinted from the scene desperately trying to find help — others carried injured and burned friends away in their arms. "There was so much smoke and fire, it was complete panic and it took a long time for people to get out, there were so many dead," survivor Luana Santos Silva told the Globo TV network. Rodrigo Moura, identified by the newspaper Diario de Santa Maria as a security guard at the club, said it was at its maximum capacity of between 1,000 and 2,000, and partygoers were pushing and shoving to escape. The fire may have started as a result of faulty pyrotechnics on stage during a live band performance, media outlet G1 reported. Michele Pereira told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper that she was near the stage and that the fire broke out after band members lit flares. "The band that was onstage began to use flares and, suddenly, they stopped the show and pointed them upward. At that point the ceiling caught fire. It was really weak but in a matter of seconds it spread," Pereira said. Some survivors claimed revelers tried to escape before the fire got out of control, but were held back by security guards because they had not yet paid their bar tab, according to Radio Estadao ESPN. There's also uncertainty if there was an emergency exit and one survivor told G1 that the only exit was the front door. "I don't think there was an emergency exit," Fernanda Bona told G1. Bona, who was at Kiss taking photos for the club when the fire broke out, added, "We didn't know what was happening inside. It all happened in five minutes, not even. Five minutes after I got out, I saw a lot of panic and lots of people trying to get out. " Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff flew back from a summit in Santiago, Chile, because of the blaze. "We are together necessarily. We are going to make it through this tragedy," Rousseff said. Contributing: The Associated Press |
| Egypt unrest: Deadly clashes erupt as Port Said mourns - BBC News Posted: 27 Jan 2013 08:36 AM PST
27 January 2013
Last updated at 11:58 ET
 The mass funeral took place amid widespread anger in Port Said over the death sentences
Three people have been killed and 400 injured in the Egyptian city of Port Said at the mass funeral for about 30 people killed in unrest on Saturday. Clashed broke out as the coffins were carried through the streets. Unrest was also reported in the capital, Cairo. Saturday's clashes in Port Said were sparked by death sentences passed on 21 local people over football riots. Supporters of the defendants attacked the prison holding them. Two policemen were also killed in the unrest. Security was stepped up in Port Said in the aftermath of the rioting. The military has been deployed around key buildings. But there were clashes between security forces and mourners during Sunday's mass funeral. Gunfire was heard near the procession as police fired tear gas into the crowd of tens of thousands of angry mourners. 
Families of those given death sentences were seen weeping and fleeing tear gas outside Port Said jail In Cairo anti-government protesters clashed with security forces near Tahrir Square for a fourth consecutive day. The UK embassy, located near the square, remained closed on Sunday because of the "unfolding turbulence", officials said. Other nearby Western embassies were also closed. Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi is expected to address the nation in a television broadcast later on Sunday. Opposition angerCorrespondents say Port Said remains in a state of rage after the 21 defendants were sentenced over riots which killed 74 people after a football game last February. February's violence began when fans of Port Said side al-Masry attacked visiting supporters from Cairo club al-Ahly. Saturday's death sentences sparked celebrations in Cairo but anger in Port Said, where more than 30 people were killed. The violence followed a day of unrest on the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak. At least seven people were killed and more than 450 wounded across Egypt. Friday saw a big anti-government rally in Cairo's Tahrir Square, with opposition supporters clashing with police. The liberal opposition accuses Mr Morsi of being autocratic and driving through a new constitution that does not protect adequately freedom of expression or religion. The government is also being blamed for a deepening economic crisis. President Morsi and his allies have dismissed the claim, saying they have a democratic mandate following recent elections. The constitution, drawn up by an Islamist-dominated body, was approved by a referendum last month. Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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