A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues.
A fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year’s Day killed dozens of people and injured about 100, according to authorities.
Here’s a look at some other nightclubs, bars and music venues that have resulted in large numbers of deaths:
March 2025: A fire and resulting stampede at the overcrowded Pulse Club in Kocani, North Macedonia, killed 63 people, most of them young revellers, and injured more than 200.
A pyrotechnic flame engulfed the club’s roof, triggering the fire.
– April 2024: A fire broke out at the Masquerade Night Club in Istanbul, Türkiye; workers and staff became trapped while the venue was closed for renovation, leading to 29 deaths.
It was located on the ground floor and basement floor of a 16-storey residential building.
– October 2023: A fire at a nightclub in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia spread to two other clubs, killing 13 people.
– January 2022: A nightclub in sorong A fire broke out after two groups attacked each other inside a building in Indonesia’s West Papua province. Nineteen people were killed.
– January 2022: Major fire at Liv’s Night Club in Yaoundé. Explosions rock Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, killing 17 people.
The government suggested that fireworks set the roof on fire and spread it to areas where cooking gas was stored.
– December 2016: Thirty-six people died in a fire in a warehouse in Oakland, California, which had been converted into a residence and event venue for dub artists.
“Ghost Ship”. During an electronic music and dance party, the fire quickly spread, trapping victims on the illegally constructed second floor.
– October 2015: A fire broke out during a rock band’s pyrotechnic display.
The Kolektiv Night Club in Bucharest, the capital of Romania, saw 64 deaths and approximately 190 injuries.
– January 2013: More than 200 people died in a Kiss nightclub fire. The incident occurred in the city of Santa Maria in southern Brazil.
Investigators said soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released toxic gases, killing attendees of the university party instantly.
– December 2009: About 152 people died in a fire at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when a plastic ceiling decorated with branches caught fire at an indoor fireworks display.
– January 2009: An indoor fireworks display following the New Year’s countdown caused a fire at the Santika Club in Bangkok.
The fire at the Santika Club in Bangkok,
The fire at the Santika Club in Bangkok, Thailand, left 67 people dead and several others injured. Burns, smoke inhalation, and crushing caused the victims to die.
– September 2008: 44 people died in a fire at the jam-packed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China, when a fire broke out in the ceiling after a fireworks show.
– December 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, 194 people died when ceiling foam caught fire at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club.
Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for starting the deadly fire and bribery. Others received lighter sentences.
– February 2003: 100 people died and more than 200 were injured in a fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States.
The band set off fireworks, which ignited flammable foam inside the club.
– January 2001: A fire in a cafe in the Dutch city of Volendam where people were celebrating the New Year killed 14 people and injured more than 200.
– December 2000: 309 people died in a fire caused by a welding accident at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang.
In October 1998, an arson attack at a crowded youth disco in the Swedish city of Gothenburg resulted in the deaths of 63 people and the injuries of approximately 200 others.
Four people were later convicted of starting the fire.
– March 1996: 162 people died in a fire at the Ozone Disco pub in Quezon City, Philippines.
A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year.
– In March 1990, an arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York City claimed the lives of 87 people.
It started when a man angry at his girlfriend threw gasoline on the club’s only exit and set it on fire, then jammed the metal front gate so people were trapped.
– December 1983: 78 people died and more than 20 were injured in a fire at the Alcalá dance hall in Madrid, Spain.
– May 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, kills 165 and injures more than 200.
– November 1942: 492 people die at Boston’s Coconut Grove Club in the deadliest nightclub fire in American history.
A fire at one of Boston’s most prominent nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible egress.
– April 1940: 209 people died when a fire broke out in the decorative Spanish moss on the roof of the Rhythm nightclub in Natchez, Mississippi.
Boards were placed on the windows to prevent people from entering.

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