Cameroon’s government says 16 people have died after a nightclub fire in that country’s capital early Sunday morning.
Eight other people suffered injuries in the fire at the Liv Nightclub, according to a government statement. At a press conference outside the Liv Nightclub, officials from Yaoundé Central Hospital said several critically injured victims had been taken to their facility.
The Cameroonian Ministry of Communication said the ceiling at the nightclub caught fire from fireworks explosions.
The fire later caused two strong explosions that sparked panic among those in the venue, according to the statement.
President Paul Biya has ordered an in-depth investigation into the incident and sent his condolences to the victims’ families.