The Romanian President says safety regulations appear to have been broken in a Bucharest nightclub that went on fire.

At least 27 people lost their lives in the blaze while another 180 others were taken to hospital.

The Romanian government has declared three days of mourning.

Local Television reports claim a firework let off during a Halloween rock concert set fire to polystyrene decorations.

Witnesses described a stampede to reach the building's single exit.

Romania's interior minister Raed Arafat said many of the injured remain in a critical condition: