Fire in Romanian nightclub kills 27 people

BUCHAREST, Romania

A blast and fire at a nightclub in the Romanian capital of Bucharest killed at least 27 people and wounded 180 others, Romanian Health Ministry official Raed Arafat said Saturday.

At least 24 of the injured people were said to be in serious condition and were taken to hospitals, Arafat said.

Around 400 people were estimated to be inside the club at the time of the incident.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced that he was cutting short his official visit to Mexico and returning to Bucharest.