Perm, location of the nightclub explosion |
"Most of the victims died of burns and carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, a stampede occurred at the exit," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.
The RIA Novosti said the explosion was followed by a fire, which had already been under control. However, the Itar-Tass quoted a police source as saying that no fire ensued the explosion.
Perm, location of the nightclub explosion |
Medvedev also asked regional Governor Oleg Chirkunov via phone to report on measures to help those affected, said the RIA Novosti.
A governmental commission was being created by Shoigu, who would fly to the tragedy site along with the health and interior ministers.
A criminal investigation on charges of fire safety breaches, which was personally supervised by Chaika, was underway.
Perm, a city on the Kama River, is the capital of Russia's Perm region.