Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Dozens of people are feared dead after an explosion at a busy nightclub during a Halloween party, reported express.co.uk.

At least 26 people have been killed and 88 wounded in the blast – thought to have been triggered by fireworks.

A fire broke out after the pyrotechnics were used inside the Colectiv Club in Bucharest, Romania, local media reported.

It is thought that as many as 400 people were in the venue – where a local rock band were performing – when the explosion occurred.

Some of the victims are said to be foreigners but their nationalities have not been confirmed.

A man who escaped without shoes said: “There was a stampede of people running out of the club.”

Reporter Dana Carbunaru said: “Apparently there were several hundred people in the club at the time of the explosion.

“It seems that someone had [been] given fireworks at a time, the fireworks have reached the ceiling and wiring had exploded.”

Gabriel Oprea, Romania’s interior minister, said: “Unfortunately, the number of deaths is expected to rise.”

The event featured a “customised light show and pyrotechnic effects“, according to a Facebook event page set up by the club.

Nicolae Banicioiu, the health minister, said a crisis unit had been set up to deal with the aftermath of the fire.

He said: “Everyone was mobilised and try to do everything we can. We are bombarded with the number of severe cases.

“Victims have been sent to the accident and emergency hospitals in the capital.”

He also appealed for blood donations.

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis said he was “deeply grieved by the tragic events that happened this evening in downtown.”

Writing on Facebook, he added: “It is a very sad day for all of us, for our nation and for me personally.”