Bucharest Nightclub Fire - 27 Dead, 180 Injured In Explosion During Metal Show (Update)
UPDATE: The Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta has announced his resignation along with his government following large protests over the nightclub fire that happened in Bucharest's Colectiv nightclub and killed more than 30 people, including metallers Goodbye To Gravity's two guitarists. The owners of the Bucharest nightclub have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and anger at the government has been growing, with many perceiving it as being corrupt, and last week's fire delivered the final blow.
"I'm handing in my mandate. I'm resigning - and implicitly my government too," Victor Ponta said, adding that he would stay on until a new government was in place. "I am obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society. I hope handing in my and my government's mandate will satisfy the demands of protesters."
About 20,000 people held a demonstration in Bucharest on Tuesday evening, calling for the resignation of Ponta, the interior minister, Gabriel Oprea, and Cristian Popescu Piedone, mayor of the district where the Colectiv nightclub was located.
This past July, Ponta was accused of forgery, tax evasion and money laundering, in charges that date back to his career as a lawyer, before he assumed office late in 2008.
Original news, published on 31.10.2015: Yesterday was a tragic day in Romania. At least 27 people were killed and more than 180 hospitalized with injuries on Friday after a heavy metal band's pyrotechnical show sparked a fire inside the Colectiv nightclub in Romania, officials said. Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea initially said an explosion occurred at a club located in a basement in downtown Bucharest, but authorities at the scene later said there had only been a fire. The seriously injured were reported to have included Goodbye To Gravity's bass player and one other member of the group, who were launching their new album, Mantras Of War. Condolences to the friends and families of the victims, and a quick recovery to all injured in the incident.
The show featured a pyrotechnic display, which went disastrously wrong with the fireworks setting the polystyrene décor alight. Panic stricken revellers, some as young as 14, rushed to the exit and at least some of those who died were killed in the stampede.
"People were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke. It was total chaos, people were trampling on each other," a witness told Romania's Antena 3 TV. "It was a tragedy that could have been avoided if there had been more organization from the emergency services."
Sanda Nicola, a local journalist, told The Telegraph: "Some of those being admitted to hospital have burns all over their bodies. Most of the victims were teenagers and students. Paramedics say that many of the people involved were foreigners who did not speak Romanian."
Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, wrote on Facebook that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the fire. "It is a very sad moment for all of us, for our nation and for me personally," he wrote. "At this painful time, I express my full compassion and solidarity with the families of those affected by this tragedy."
The country's health ministry launched an emergency appeal for blood donations.
"I'm handing in my mandate. I'm resigning - and implicitly my government too," Victor Ponta said, adding that he would stay on until a new government was in place. "I am obliged to take note of the legitimate grievances which exist in society. I hope handing in my and my government's mandate will satisfy the demands of protesters."
About 20,000 people held a demonstration in Bucharest on Tuesday evening, calling for the resignation of Ponta, the interior minister, Gabriel Oprea, and Cristian Popescu Piedone, mayor of the district where the Colectiv nightclub was located.
Photo: Cocolos Octavian/Demotix/Corbis
This past July, Ponta was accused of forgery, tax evasion and money laundering, in charges that date back to his career as a lawyer, before he assumed office late in 2008.
Original news, published on 31.10.2015: Yesterday was a tragic day in Romania. At least 27 people were killed and more than 180 hospitalized with injuries on Friday after a heavy metal band's pyrotechnical show sparked a fire inside the Colectiv nightclub in Romania, officials said. Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea initially said an explosion occurred at a club located in a basement in downtown Bucharest, but authorities at the scene later said there had only been a fire. The seriously injured were reported to have included Goodbye To Gravity's bass player and one other member of the group, who were launching their new album, Mantras Of War. Condolences to the friends and families of the victims, and a quick recovery to all injured in the incident.
The show featured a pyrotechnic display, which went disastrously wrong with the fireworks setting the polystyrene décor alight. Panic stricken revellers, some as young as 14, rushed to the exit and at least some of those who died were killed in the stampede.
Photo: Reuters
"People were fainting, they were fainting from the smoke. It was total chaos, people were trampling on each other," a witness told Romania's Antena 3 TV. "It was a tragedy that could have been avoided if there had been more organization from the emergency services."
Sanda Nicola, a local journalist, told The Telegraph: "Some of those being admitted to hospital have burns all over their bodies. Most of the victims were teenagers and students. Paramedics say that many of the people involved were foreigners who did not speak Romanian."
Klaus Iohannis, the president of Romania, wrote on Facebook that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the fire. "It is a very sad moment for all of us, for our nation and for me personally," he wrote. "At this painful time, I express my full compassion and solidarity with the families of those affected by this tragedy."
The country's health ministry launched an emergency appeal for blood donations.
Photo: EPA
[Also thanks to RaduP!]
| theguardian.com |
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| Maco Pvt Funderground Posts: 3593  |
For shit like this I hate pyrotechnics... one thing goes wrong and you will regret it for the rest of your life....
---- Crackhead Megadeth reigns supreme.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293  |
R.I.P. its sad, indeed and pyro must be banned, and this is why I never sit or stand near stage . pyro must be banned, specially from concerts, footy stadiums and sport events as well. James Hadfield burned hus beard and hair once... pyro sucks ,
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Darko Posts: 9  |
RIP for all the victims.Sadly,also one of the guitarits of the band that was on the stage lost his life and other members were injured in the accident.
---- live here and now...
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| knightlightning Posts: 70  |
Written by Bad English on 31.10.2015 at 18:56 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlGzxGJt2Io
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132  |
Some eyewitnesses say that the "pyrotechnics" were mild more like the type you would put on your kid's birthday cake. As soon as the polystyrene wall (used for better room acoustic) caught fire, the singer joked "That wasn't in the program", and as soon as he saw that the situation was serious, he asked for a fire extinguisher that never came. Soon, the whole roof caught fire and started falling. Two members, Vlad Țelea and Mihai Alexandru (R.I.P.), the guitarists, died during the incident. More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colectiv_nightclub_fire
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
It is rumored that hospitals were overcrowded, which lead some to speculate that in the event of another earthquake like the one in 1977 where about 1400 people died in Bucharest, we are quite fucked. This also lead some to blame the state for investing too much in churches and megalithic cathedrals instead of hospitals.
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
Also lots of conspiracy theories ranging from the 666th Halloween, to the band having Goodbye in its name and being satanists and supposingly playing this song as the incident happened: Also some "people" are happy that it happened since they consider the victims satanists as they were rockers. This also includes some celebrities like Ozana Barabancea.
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
Aftermath picture (extremely NSFW, not for the faint of heart and the weak of stomach): here and here
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
Images taken from before and during the tragedy.   
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| LeChron James Helvetesfossen Posts: 3561  |
I think pyrotechnics should still be allowed at shows, just not in super confined spaces with low ceilings or with flammable shit around the display (curtains, etc.). Outdoor pyrotechnics are usually trouble free if they're handled by professionals and not half drunk stage crew haha.
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15303  |
Agree. it is horrible, but this shit continues. horrible for those who died or lost loved ones.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Written by LeChron James on 31.10.2015 at 23:13 I think it was in Riga when Rammstein plaid, Fire Fighers did not let use pryo because there was some huge water leak in pipes and they said they have no preasure for use water, and they banned pyro
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Written by [user id=142921] on 01.11.2015 at 03:19 Itspanic, that's why ppl should do military service where drill instructor screams and shoots whit machine gun when they do tranches ppl die in panic, many in fire and so on ppl will di in panic, make error, and get pushed I had been stacked one between folks in a fest. it was such preasure I could not bread, anyway water bucket and now this is why I never stand in a frond, don't like it
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
Written by [user id=142921] on 01.11.2015 at 03:57 Noting that no fire extinguishers were used, either because they weren't any or because they didn't get to use them in time. Either way, the club wasn't prepared for this. Also, there was only one exit/entrance.
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Radu - then club owner violate rules, those shits should be in every such place and it can be fine even if explaration date is old
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9132 |
Have yet to hear any official statement from either the club owner or the band (maybe they're dead or in the hospital so that explains it) but some rumours say that the owner is behind bars or at least will be for a long time.
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| LeChron James Helvetesfossen Posts: 3561 |
Written by Bad English on 01.11.2015 at 03:32 Indoor fireworks are never a good choice. Fuck the venue. There were equally terrible pictures preceding that awful Brazilian night club fire. AND ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I think if you're going to house (a) band(s), employ someone who knows how fire works
---- Kick Ass, Die Young Less is More Stay Pure Stay Poor Music was my life, music brought me to life and music is how I will be remembered long after I leave this life. When I die there will be a final waltz in my head that only I can hear.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Written by LeChron James on 01.11.2015 at 13:02 Well image you burn down super expensive venue , hmm Madison Square Garden ... Brazil, Asia, its not Western world, corruption, safety don't matter there, look how they drive, just like driving rules wont exist , same goes there, even Romania is in EU. I think they didn't follow safety rules, like nothing happens, never have and never will,
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Valentin B Iconoclast Posts: 10096  |
It was absolutely horrible and shocking that from a simple sparks effect like that the entire club caught fire in less than half a minute according to the eyewitnesses. It's unbelievable also for me knowing that I have played in even worse clubs, fortunately without any pyrotechnics but I don't even want to know what kind of situations we could have faced because of the club owners not following the law: fire, earthquake, asphyxiation, blackouts, collapses, electrocution, the list is simply too long... Btw if you want to blame the band for this incident, you should know that both guitarists have passed away and the rest of the bandmembers are in a critical state in the hospital... Odihneasca-se in Pace
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Written by Valentin B on 02.11.2015 at 20:20 we don't need tragic events to happen that you come back to this site, aka home It wont happen in Sweden, clubs be closed, seems E and W Europe still can be dealed in political way, sad. I heard one fire exit was closed and now club owners and some state officials are accused whit murder
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Valentin B Iconoclast Posts: 10096 |
Written by Bad English on 03.11.2015 at 11:49 I'm not logging in just for this man... in any case, it seems some issues are beginning to be solved in Romania, there have been quite a few resignations over failing to prevent this tragedy, but it won't solve everything, let's say the problem lies within us all, on how the Romanian style is synonim with "ah, it'll work like this too", meaning that you can tolerate corruption, incompetence, lack of safety, and generally risk your wellbeing and others' wellbeing, as long as it saves you a momentary bureaucratic or procedural headache
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62293 |
Written by Valentin B on 05.11.2015 at 09:33 you should remember roots, live here post and listen more metal  I know what you mean, seems 60 years in occupation ruined all E Europe, only Estonia is as it is. Scandinavian Lv had same but in last 2 years when fackatards non existing nation as Luhanskains and Doneckians start to messing up, finally our state to think properly, fuck sake why Eesto has defense budget 2% . why we can not, well it will be in 2018 but I say it must be 5% Anyway I don't like when minister steps down, can happen everywhere wven in Sweden, but if exit doors be marked, open, fire extindishers would work, it would be less damage btw is there official list source that Adrian Rugina from Bucium died?
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die" I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher Posts: 1086  |
Some other small updates: 1. The death toll has risen to 32. 2. 25 thousand people were protesting y-day in Bucharest only. Over 50 thousand at national level. 3. Apparently, the pyrotech was handled by a professional, but it seems like they screwed up. One of them is safe, the other one is injured and in hospital.
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| MuchaMagia Posts: 8  |
Something similar happened here, in Argentina, in 2004. 194 people were killed . The band "Callejeros" ("Street Guys") ended up in jail and the government never stood up for corruption. Here 's the story in English. Don't use pyrotechnic indoors please. PD: If something does not understand it is the fault of Google Translate.
---- Sex > War
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| WorpeX Made of Metal Posts: 1355  |
Written by RaduP on 31.10.2015 at 23:00 I really enjoyed that song. Awful way to discover a band though, the whole incident is very tragic. RIP to those that lost their lives and I hope everyone who is still in critical condition survives.
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| TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher Posts: 1086 |
A new update, the death toll rose to 38. 6 more people died today. Edit: Actually 39. Edit 2: Now 41. 9 people died today only. Edit 3: 45 now. The Goodbye to Gravity drummer died of heart failure moments ago while he was being transported to a hospital in Switzerland. Edit 4: 47 dead as of today, November 9th. Seems like most of the injured are not dying because of the burns, but because they had a huge concentration of CO2 and hydrogen cyanide in their bodies beyond the lethal dose. Think about it... if even people that suffered minor to no injury are returning to the hospital with breathing problems, then the situation of those in critical condition must be awful. Edit 5: 50 dead since November 11th.
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