Hello everyone.

This thread is to report a tragedy that has happened last night in southern Brazil.A fire in a nightclub in the small town of Santa Maria has made about 245 victims so far. The fire was caused by a pyrotechnics show used by a band - likely a shot flare - which hit the sound isolation. About 1500 people were in the club.

That's an unprecedented tragedy! The biggest tragedy to happen in Brazil!

That brings attention to the state of nightclubs: they usually have only a way out and no windows, which is a terrible place to be when there's a fire!

The link is broken, and how can 1500 people be in a nightclub, in a small town?

Man, nightclub fires just keep on happening, don't they? I'm not sure if I'm correct but I think I remember there being at least two other cases of a major death toll thanks to a fire in a nightclub (not in Brazil, obviously). You'd think that people would learn after the first time, regardless of country, that constructing night clubs to be one-way in-and-out places was a terrible idea.

Sorry.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/27/world/americas/brazil-nightclub-fire/?hpt=hp_t1

Good question. I was thinking of it myself, but other reports said above 2000. I guess there was at least 400.

That happened in the city I live. I've seen the club in a normal day. It seems small from the outside.

It's sad. This is a city where every accident fights over an ambulance or a place in the hospital. It lacks services.

The saddest thing, though, is the identification method. They've brought the bodies for a gymnasium in front of my house. It's full.

I think every place like clubs, restaurants, shops, stadiums, school, court, fair (yes, even temporary fairs) etc. should be constructed in a way to prevent accidents during mass panic. Everywhere where you have a certain quanity of people amassed in a big crowd, there's a risk.

I think I remember there being at least two other cases of a major death toll thanks to a fire in a nightclub (not in Brazil, obviously)

I've heard of a case in Rhode Island, with 90 victim or so.

You'd think that people would learn after the first time, regardless of country, that constructing night clubs to be one-way in-and-out places was a terrible idea.

Wished people would do so. Dang, if there was a revision in the way they make nightclubs, this could be avoided!

I think every place like clubs, restaurants, shops, stadiums, school, court, fair (yes, even temporary fairs) etc. should be constructed in a way to prevent accidents during mass panic. Everywhere where you have a certain quanity of people amassed in a big crowd, there's a risk.

I agree. Or else a party could easily turn into a trap.

And, dang, that club had some small doors. They had to breach walls to get inside!

My link has failed again. http://http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/2 … ?hpt=hp_t1

Anyway, I'd like to take a moment to make clear that my condolences are very much with the families of the victims, and my anger very firmly pointed at the terrible way many nightclubs are built.

Having multiple, clearly signposted exits to any area with many people crammed into a small space should be common sense.

I remember something that happened in Germany almost two years ago.. I'm surprised they even made a wiki article on what they call the Love Parade disaster.
Long story short, the parade was in a restricted area only accessible by one big ramp, that was soon so overcrowded with people that it ended in 21 deaths and several hundreds injured.

Having multiple, clearly signposted exits to any area with many people crammed into a small space should be common sense.

Indeed! I think everyone who owns a nightclub should be claustrophobic. That way, they'd think of many ways out.

And even worst: There was a single way out and some security guards barred the fleeing crowd because they hadn't paid the bill. A fire... well, during a fire, I think you should not ask people for money. Perhaps they hadn't seen the cloud of fires engulfing the dance hall.

Alas, they say there was no "Exit" signs above the doors. Nor sprinklers - which are rare here, trust me. So that place was the perfect trap.

Pressed Submit too early.

Anyway, I'd like to take a moment to make clear that my condolences are very much with the families of the victims, and my anger very firmly pointed at the terrible way many nightclubs are built.

Thank you for your kindness.

I remember something that happened in Germany almost two years ago.. I'm surprised they even made a wiki article on what they call the Love Parade disaster.
Long story short, the parade was in a restricted area only accessible by one big ramp, that was soon so overcrowded with people that it ended in 21 deaths and several hundreds injured.

Humans don't learn, do they? That was the same issue: one way out. At least there were less victims.

New numbers have arrived:

232 deceased.
100+ injured

The hospitals are overwhelmed with victims; People have been taken to hospitals on cities 2h far;
The city gymnasium is full with bodies;
There was a shortage of coffins for the victims;
The president Dilma Rousseff is in town;
Biggest tragedy in the state.