At least 180 now thought dead in Brazil nightclub blaze
At least 180 people are now thought to have died in a nightclub fire in the Brazilian city of Santa Maria.
Police officials say 159 bodies have already been recovered. They say the victims had suffocated or been trampled.
A fireworks display by a band performing at the nightclub is believed to have started the blaze.
Sandro Meinerz, spokesman for the police in the city of Santa Maria, told local media that the fire broke out at the Kiss club while a band was performing. Up to 200 others were believed to have been injured.
Civil Police and regional government spokesman Marcelo Arigoni told Radio Gaucha that a truck carrying 70 bodies had arrived at the Municipal Sports Centre, which was being used as an improvised morgue.
