Cameroon: Nightclub fire leaves at least 16 dead

A fire broke out in a popular nightclub in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, setting off explosions and killing at least 16 people, authorities said Sunday.

The event occurs at a time when the country is hosting the African Cup of Soccer.

“We are still in the investigative stage, to find out the names and nationalities of the dead and injured,” said government spokesman Rene Emmanuel Sadi.

Authorities say the fire broke out at the nightclub in Bastos, a neighborhood of the Cameroonian capital, and quickly spread to a place where cooking gas was stored.

“There were loud explosions from the gas canisters, causing panic in the neighborhood,” the government said in a statement, adding that another eight people were injured and taken to Yaoundé Central Hospital.

In a statement, President Paul Biya called for calm and promised that there will be safety for players and fans.

The African Cup, in which 24 national teams participate, was to take place last year but was postponed due to the pandemic.