A fire at an Istanbul nightclub during renovations on Tuesday has left at least 29 people dead. Reportedly, several people were injured.
Seven of those hospitalised, among the injured, are in serious condition, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to the
club, which occupies two basement floors, as paramedics rushed victims into ambulances.
According to officials, the fire broke out at 12:47 pm (09:46 GMT) in the city's Gayrettepe district.
The nightclub, which was closed for renovations, was on the ground floor of a 16-story residential building in the Besiktas district on the European side of the city bisected by the Bosphorus. The fire was put out.
While speaking to the media, Gov. Davut Gul said that the cause of the fire was under investigation, and the victims were believed to be involved in the renovation work.
Authorities detained five people for questioning, including managers of the club and one person in charge of the renovations, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said.
