US authorities confirmed today that 96 people were killed and nearly 190 injured when pyrotechnics at a rock concert ignited a massive blaze at a crowded nightclub in Rhode Island.
Survivors said the fire spread so fast that the entire club in West Warwick was engulfed in flames within three minutes, as people crushed each other in a desperate bid to escape the inferno.
While some victims were burned to death or died of smoke inhalation, fire officials said others were trampled to death and still more killed as the building collapsed.
"We think we have recovered all of the bodies," Governor Donald Carcieri told reporters after rescue workers finished a final sweep of the charred remains of the club.
A total of 187 people were treated for injuries, of which 81 had been hospitalised and 25 were listed as critical.
The capacity of The Station club was 300, but the governor estimated that there were close to 350 people inside.
"If you were not out of that building in 30 seconds you didn't have a prayer," Governor Carcieri said.
An investigation into the cause of the fire was underway, but officials said the priority remained the search operation and the identification of the bodies, many of which had been burned beyond recognition.
AFP