At least 27 people have been killed and more than 140 others have been injured after a fire tore through a nightclub in the Romanian capital of Bucharest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration cannot yet say if there are Moldovans among the victims, IPN reports.

According to Mediafax, authorities indicated that the death toll could rise further. Some 140 people were taken to hospitals across Bucharest, including 9 people who were critically injured. Investigators believe that pyrotechnics were the cause of the fire, which led to a stampede as clubgoers desperately tried to flee the building.

Survivors spoke of the horror that unfolded when fireworks - set off during a pre-Halloween gig in the Romanian capital - sparked a blaze, followed by a stampede at the front door. The back door was opened much later.

The government declared three days of national mourning amid fears the death toll from the disaster could rise. The Romanian Health Ministry urged donating blood for the victims.

The blaze broke out at around 11pm last night at the Colectiv night club, where according to witnesses between 200 and 400 youngsters had gathered for a performance by rock group Goodbye to Gravity.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, writing on his official Facebook account, said he was shocked and deeply saddened by the deadly incident. “It is a very sad moment for all of us, for our nation and for me personally,” Iohannis said. “At this painful time, I express my full compassion and solidarity with the families of those affected by this tragedy.”