3 dead, at least 12 injured in Chile nightclub building collapse

SANTIAGO, Chile (UPDATED) – Three people were killed and several others were injured during a concert at a nightclub in downtown Santiago after the building collapsed, authorities said Friday, April 17.

Some of the wounded had life-threatening injuries and were sent to the hospital with serious chest and head wounds.

“There are three deaths so far and there are five wounded,” said the director of Santiago Hospital’s emergency center, Mario Henriquez.

Initial evidence suggested that the building may have collapsed because its maximum capacity was exceeded, according to police.

“It is an authorized club,” Police Chief Hugo Insulza told reporters.

“What happened was that more people were in the club than should have been present,” and part of the building structure collapsed, he added, insisting that no stampede took place.

More than 200 people were taken off the premises by security forces.

“There was a crush of people. Even after the venue reached its full capacity, people kept pushing to get in. That led to the collapse of a containment fence that fell on people inside,” an official from the national emergency office ONEMI said.

The club’s administrator was placed under arrest pending an investigation.

The accident occurred during a concert by British punk band Doom. – Rappler.com