EVENTS | 131 serious injuries At least 232 killed in a fire at a nightclub in Brazil

At least 232 people have died this morning in a fire at the nightclub Kiss of Santa Maria , in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. This is the most tragic fire in the past 50 years in the country. Previously, it was reported that there were 245 dead and 48 wounded .This error was due, according to the authorities, to the confusion in the first hours after the tragedy. Gradually they transcend the details of what happened in this club of Santa Maria, quintessential college town. Besides the fire started looking because of a fireworks display, the fire department in the region indicated that the premises had expired license since last August and by having a single emergency exit, had to make a hole in the wall to act quickly. The fire started about 2:30 local time (5:30 pm Spanish time) when the lead singer of the band that was presented to the public held a firework display . The sparks of fire, known as 'Silver Rain', crashed into the material sound insulation of the roof, which made ​​the flames from spreading rapidly and spread a thick smoke on the premises. The musicians themselves tried to put the first call, first with water, without success, and then he had a fire extinguisher near the stage, but that did not work. Some media also indicated that at the time of tragedy had 2,000 people inside the club. If confirmed this figure, other media estimate that were 500 -, would double the permitted capacity. Moreover, according to the commander of the Fire Department of Rio Grande do Sul, several survivors, many of whom were in a VIP area very close to the exit-assured that the security guards blocked the door . At first, they thought that people were trying to leave without pay for drinks.

30 days of mourning

The mayor, Cezar Schirmer, has decreed 30 days of mourning. Schirmer, who arrived early in the morning to the place of the tragedy to monitor rescue efforts, called for all doctors, nurses, psychologists and other professionals in the health of the city is made ​​available to victims and their family .As the commander of the Special Operations Battalion of the military police of Rio Grande do Sul, Cleberson Bastianello, most of the bodies were taken to the Municipal Sports Centre . They perform tasks of identification of 120 men and 112 women died and offered psychological support to their loved ones. Spread on the ground and covered by white canvas , but with unveiled faces, the bodies were placed side by side in long rows that were traveled by his parents, brothers and friends to be identified. Also in line, but outside the sports center, the families were entering in the hope that the person you are looking for was not there. In addition to those killed, 131 people were seriously injured and had to be taken to different hospitals. This figure, as happened to the victims, was also downgraded by the authorities. At first there was talk of two hundred.

A college party

The Kiss nightclub was hosting a party of students from different courses at the Federal University of Santa Maria. In fact, the city has a high percentage of young people as hosts eight universities. The difficulty in evacuation caused numerous deaths by asphyxiation ."Most ended up dying from inhalation of toxic fumes, and burns very few. What caused the tragedy was the use of unauthorized artifact, panic, inhalation of toxic smoke and the door closed , "said the officer. Meanwhile, the commander of the Military Brigade, Cleberson Bastianello Braida said the 'Jornal do Brasil' that people got confused and instead went out the door in the bathrooms , they are next. " Almost all died from suffocation, in desperation to get out , went into the bathroom, where we found them stacked almost to the ceiling."

Dilma Rousseff canceled his schedule

Upon hearing what happened, the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, official travel in Santiago de Chile , canceled his schedule CELAC Summit-EU to travel to the city of Santa Maria. " Who needs me right now is the Brazilian people . I asked all ministers to help in any way they can and move there, and I'll be there, "said Rousseff told Brazilian media that granted in Santiago. The president, who did not hide his tears by the tragedy , said it will offer all necessary resources available to the town of Santa Maria. " In this time of sadness we are together and, while maintaining the sadness, we will overcome, "said the president, who lived most of her life in Porto Alegre , capital of Rio Grande do Sul, at 286 kilometers from Santa Maria.