16 dead in Cameroon nightclub fire

At least 16 people have been killed as a fire erupted at a popular nightclub in the Cameroon capital of Yaounde, the government said. 

The blaze was caused by fireworks that were lit while champagne was being served in the club, it added. 

At least eight others were seriously injured in the fire in the early hours of Sunday at Liv's Night Club.

The fire engulfed the main room of the venue in the capital's upmarket Bastos district.

"The tragedy, which was caused by explosions from the fireworks often used in these places, first consumed the building's ceiling, resulting in two very loud explosions, causing panic and a stampede," the communications ministry said in a statement.

The emergency services were still searching the venue, and the number of dead could rise, it added.

About 100 people gathered outside a hospital morgue for news about their relatives.

"I've lost my little brother. He was a good, kind boy who has been working in this club for about two months," Stephane Hamza, 38, told AFP.

"When I heard about the explosion, I came to the morgue where I was told he was dead." - BBC