17 killed after tear gas explosion, stampede in Venezuela club
Seventeen people are dead, including eight minors, after a tear gas explosion sparked a stampede among hundreds of patrons at a club in Caracas, Venezuela.
More than 500 people were swept up in the stampede after a tear gas bomb was detonated. Venezuelan authorities say the gas canister was thrown after a row broke out at the ‘Los Cotorros’ venue in El Paraíso, Caracas.
2. Ministro @NestorReverol: Se originó una riña en horas de la madrugada y una de las personas involucradas activó un artificio lacrimógeno que originó la estampida de más de 500 personas, dejando un saldo de 17 personas fallecidas.
— VISIIP (@VISIIPMIJP) June 16, 2018
3. Ministro @NestorReverol: Entre los fallecidos se cuentan 8 menores de edad, también hay 5 lesionados y un menor en delicado estado de salud. Hasta el momento 7 personas han sido detenidas por este acto #16Jun
— VISIIP (@VISIIPMIJP) June 16, 2018
Five people were also injured in the incident, and seven people have been arrested, according to Interior Minister Néstor Luis Reverol.
Asistentes a fiesta intentaron huir luego que activaron bomba lacrimógena en Club Los Cotorros de El Paraíso. Familiares de víctimas indicaron que la puerta principal estaba cerrada y muchos cayeron por las escaleras encima de otras personas. pic.twitter.com/q1tdbspFo8
— Darvinson Rojas (@DarvinsonRojas) June 16, 2018
The club has been closed as a precaution, according to a local authorities, and its manager arrested for not fulfilling requirements relating to the control of firearms in public establishments.
