3 days of mourning for 27 dead in Bucharest nightclub fire

Romania's prime minister has decreed three days of mourning starting immediately for the victims of a nightclub fire and stampede.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta cut short a visit to Mexico to return to Bucharest after a fire broke out late Friday in a nightclub in Bucharest, killing 27 and injuring 180.

Officials expect the death toll to rise in what is the worst disaster of its kind ever in Romania.

Some 146 people remain hospitalized, some in critical condition suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Earlier, survivors of a deadly nightclub fire and stampede in Romania say the lead singer of the heavy metal band on stage at first made a joke about the fire before it engulfed the basement club in downtown Bucharest.

Hundreds of young people had gone clubbing at the hip Colectiv nightclub Friday night to enjoy a free concert by the Goodbye to Gravity metal band. The evening ended in horror, as the inferno caused a panic that left 27 people dead and 180 injured.

The government on Saturday announced three days of mourning for the victims.

Raed Arafat, an emergency situations official, said 17 of those who died still have not been identified and he feared that others would die of their injuries. As of early Saturday, at least 146 people were still hospitalized around the capital, many with serious injuries.

TV stations posted a number for families to call to find out about the tragedy, the worst of its kind in Romania's history.

Witnesses told Antena 3 TV that between 300 to 400 mostly young people had been at the club, housed in a former factory, when a pyrotechnical show went awry. They said there was only one exit.

Club-goers told Digi 24 television that a spark on stage ignited some polystyrene decor. Photos posted on social media appeared to show a flame emanating from a pillar covered in foam insulation as those in the audience applauded the band.

Delia Tugui, teacher at the American International School of Bucharest who was at the concert with her husband and son, said club-goers were taken by surprise at how fast the fire grew and panicked as it spread.

"The lead singer made a quick joke: 'This wasn't part of the program.' The next second, he realized it wasn't a joke and asked for a fire extinguisher," she wrote on her Facebook page. "In 30 seconds...the fire spread all over the ceiling. People rushed to the entrance but it was too narrow, and people panicked. Behind me people stampeded, climbing over each other, to try and get out."

"Friends were looking for each other under the pile of people. Asking 'Is it you? Where are you? I can't see you. Is that your arm?' It was a nightmare."

She said she knew some would not escape.

"I realized that those on the other side of the bar would not get out alive."

Lead singer Alex Pascu was hospitalized in the Floreasca emergency hospital and Antena 3 TV said bass guitarist Alex Telea was reported missing by his parents who have been searching for him.

Florentina Dinca, 38, who lives opposite the nightclub, told The Associated Press there was chaos as emergency workers tried to aid the badly burned club-goers.

"They were very frightened, they screamed, ambulances didn't know what to do," she said. "Girls had their hair burned, they had burns on their faces. It was terror. "

Bogdan Oprita, spokesman for the Floreasca Emergency Hospital where dozens were hospitalized, said it was the worst bloodshed since the 1989 anti-Communist revolution.

"It was like a war. Dozens of surgeons were called from home and asked to operate," he said.

President Klaus Iohannis visited injured people Saturday at the Floreasca hospital in Bucharest and tried to comfort survivors and relatives. He said most of the injured were unconscious and in serious condition. He later visited the nightclub and spent a few moments paying silent respect to the victims.

He also promised an inquiry into the blaze to prevent future disasters.

"I visited burns patients from last night's tragedy," he said. "I spoke to a patient's mum. People are disgusted that such a thing could happen and I hope we manage to have results of the inquiry as soon as possible and to change norms so that things like this never happen again."

Prosecutors said they are investigating possible manslaughter charges. Police spent all night in the club investigating the incident and questioning the club's owners.