233 people have died and at least 131 more were injured in a nightclub in Brazil.

                                                

233 people have died and at least 131 more were injured when a fire set off by a band's pyrotechnics swept through a nightclub in Brazil.

The tragedy happened at the Kiss Club in the city of Santa Maria. 900 people were said to be inside the club when the fire broke out.

The fire started around 2am on Sunday morning. It is reported that a member of the band lifted a lit firework which set fire to the ceiling and engulfed the room.

The fire set off a panic amongst the people inside the club, many of whom went further into the club instead of out thinking they were escaping. Many people died from smoke inhalation, some were trampled.

The bodies of 120 men and 112 women have been pulled from the wreckage.

Santa Maria is the home of the Federal State University of Santa Maria. Many of the people at the club were students.

The band Gurizada Fandangueira was the act performing at the club. Gurizada Fandangueira perform at the Kiss Club once a month.