Six people were killed and more than 120 others injured by a nightclub crowd in Ancona, northern Italy, after a man sprayed pepper spray, causing panic among the revelers.Local media reported that 10 people were in a critical condition, and that the injuries were mainly caused by a stampede at a ceremony by the famous Italian rapper Sépira Ibasta, who has attracted about 1,000 lovers of his art.
According to eyewitnesses, the stampede
occurred after one of them sprayed pepper spray, which caused panic and caused suffocation dozens.
"The cause may have been the dispersal of a stinging substance; the young people fled and trampled over each other. Sadly, six people died and dozens are injured," the fire service said in a Twitter statement.
Those dead included five people under 18 and a mother who had accompanied her daughter to the concert, according to media reports. The disaster occurred at around 1 a.m. local time (0000 UTC).
Possible tear gas
The newspaper Corriere della Sera said the substance might have been tear gas sprayed by one of the guests. It quoted one teenager as saying that the emergency exit was blocked.
Some 10 of those injured are in a serious condition, according to local media, with many suffering severe bruising or even broken bones.
Police have opened an investigation into the causes of the incident.
Those dead included five people under 18 and a mother who had accompanied her daughter to the concert, according to media reports. The disaster occurred at around 1 a.m. local time (0000 UTC).
Possible tear gas
The newspaper Corriere della Sera said the substance might have been tear gas sprayed by one of the guests. It quoted one teenager as saying that the emergency exit was blocked.
Some 10 of those injured are in a serious condition, according to local media, with many suffering severe bruising or even broken bones.
Police have opened an investigation into the causes of the incident.
