Romanian club owners face manslaughter probe over fire, death toll at 31

Romanian prosecutors opened a criminal manslaughter investigation on Monday against the three owners of the Bucharest nightclub where a fire killed 31 people and injured nearly 200 during a weekend rock concert. On Monday, an unidentified man died of his injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to 31, deputy prime minister Gabriel Oprea was quoted saying by local news agency Mediafax. The fire that ravaged the Colectiv nightclub is one of the worst disasters to hit the European Union state in decades and has shaken up Romanians, who are distrustful of building safety and the way local authorities issue permits and licenses.

Teams of police officers, forensic experts and pyrotechnical specialists are continuing an on-site investigation and hearings.

Prosecutors’ statement

Prosecutors called in three men - Costin Mincu, Alin George Anastasescu and Paul Gancea, the club’s shareholders - for hearings as suspects of crimes of manslaughter and injury. The three all declined comment as they arrived at the prosecutor’s office for Monday’s closed-door hearings. Hundreds of people gathered outside Colectiv on Monday to light candles and bring flowers in remembrance of the victims, after thousands marched in silence on Sunday. Three Romanian nightclubs later acknowledged they had been reckless and failed to respect safety standards, apologizing to clients and promising to either close or upgrade safety at their venues.

I apologize and I take responsibility. From 2003 I have put the lives of thousands in danger. Weekend after weekend and sometimes during the week.

The owner of Expirat, Andrei Sosa