Nightclub explosion, blaze kills dozens

An explosion and ensuing flames on a stage at a Bucharest nightclub on Friday left 27 people dead and 180 hospitalized with injuries, Romania’s interior minister said. Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea said the explosion occurred at Colectiv club in downtown Bucharest, a city of three million people. Witnesses told Antena 3 TV that there were between 300 to 400 people at the club when the metal band Goodbye to Gravity was performing and a “pyrotechnical show” went awry. The station reported that people panicked and rushed for the exit. Digi 24 television station cited witnesses who said the explosion came after a spark on stage ignited some polystyrene decor.