Universal media outlet reported that the death toll in the blast at a nightclub in the Venezuelan capital had risen to 21.
Earlier in the day, Venezuelan Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said that at least 17 people died in a brawl at a Caracas nightclub early on Saturday morning.
Earlier in the day, some 500 people were at the Los Cotorros club, when a tear gas device went off during a brawl between several people.
#16Jun Familiares de victimas en el club Los Cotorros, rinden declaración en el Cicpc. pic.twitter.com/sbEsF1OIX5 – @GabyGabyGG https://t.co/Exp0b2lpAb
— InfoMerida.VE (@infomerida_ve) June 16, 2018
Eleven people have reportedly suffocated to death, including the man, who threw the grenade, while there was a stampede toward the exits. The Venezolana de Television broadcaster reported that eight victims were underage.
Lo que habría originado la fatal explosión en el Club de los Cotorros https://t.co/OPgCS4ZPaL pic.twitter.com/oNYwf6Awrb
— Yo Soy Venezolano (@YSVenezolano) June 16, 2018
An investigation into the incident has been underway, with 7 people already being arrested, according to the interior minister.
#CaraotaEnCaracas Así se encuentran las inmediaciones del club "Los Cotorros" tras un enfrentamiento que dejó aproximadamente a 17 personas muertas/ Reportó @AngitaPolanco pic.twitter.com/5xxfrhIQLg
— CaraotaDigital (@CaraotaDigital) June 16, 2018
"The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro, deplores this unfortunate event. We send our condolences to the families," he said.
Asistentes a fiesta intentaron huir luego que activaron bomba lacrimógena en Club Los Cotorros de El Paraíso. Familiares de víctimas indicaron que la puerta principal estaba cerrada y muchos cayeron por las escaleras encima de otras personas. pic.twitter.com/q1tdbspFo8
— Darvinson Rojas (@DarvinsonRojas) June 16, 2018
Other visitors of the club were delivered to nearby hospitals.
No further details have been immediately available.
