Most of the victims were students, between the ages of 16 and 20 years old

Jan 28, 2013 12:23 GMT  ·  By
The Kiss club in Santa Maria was completely wrecked in the fire that killed over 230 people
   The Kiss club in Santa Maria was completely wrecked in the fire that killed over 230 people

As I detailed earlier today, a tragedy hit Brazil this weekend, as over 230 people died in a night club in the town of Santa Maria.

2000 clubgoers were trapped inside the illegal local Kiss club. The venue was not equipped with fire extinguishers, and crowds rushed to escape through the one exit door.

Most of the victims were students, aged 16 and 20 years old, most of whom attended the University of Santa Maria.

“Those who were far from the doors had simply no chance,” a survivor is quoted by The Belfast Telegraph as saying.

“A girl died in my arms, I felt her heart stop beating. It was like something out of a movie. The ambulances simply could not cope with all the wounded,” Matheus Bortolotto's heartwarming account continues.

Footage of dozens of bodies lined up in the club emerged online. The video can be watched here, but please be advised as it contains shocking, graphic imagery.