Tragedy in Brazil raises questions about whether the country is ready to host the world Cup and the Olympics
Raphael Michilis Fonseca |
| Witnesses say some victims couldn't find the only emergency exit in the club and got trapped in the toilets |
“We will use all the resources to recover the bodies and give assistance to victims and the local services. It’s a sad Sunday, but I’d like to say to the population of Santa Maria and whole Brazil that we are together and of course we will do all that is possible to assist Santa Maria,” said Rousseff.
Besides mourning and comforting the victims’ relatives, the president might have to answer to questions concerning the health and safety standards in the country.
Media around the world is
broadcasting images of rescuers breaking walls to reach the victims of the Fire
in the student town of Santa Maria and questioning if Brazil is ready to host big
international events such as the World Football Cup next year and the Olympic
Games in 2016.
BBC correspondent in Brazil Gary Duffy questioned how Brazil copes with emergencies and the priority given to health and safety in the country.
Zero Hora Brazilian newspaper reporter Carlos Ferreira told BBC the country needs to make improvements in infrastructure like electric installations.
BBC correspondent in Brazil Gary Duffy questioned how Brazil copes with emergencies and the priority given to health and safety in the country.
Zero Hora Brazilian newspaper reporter Carlos Ferreira told BBC the country needs to make improvements in infrastructure like electric installations.
Cause
Although authorities still investigate the cause of the fire, some witnesses confirmed the accident was caused by the fire displayed on stage by the band who was playing at the club.
“The band started using fire on the stage and one of their members lit and pointed a fire artefact to the air. The ceiling caught fire and it spread in a fraction of seconds,” said Michele Pereira, 34, who was next to the stage during the gig.
The incident turns the attention to how serious Brazil is about licensing venues and inspecting their commitment to health and safety.
It is still not clear if the band had authorization to use fire works inside the club nor if the emergency exits in the venue complied with safety regulations.
Although authorities still investigate the cause of the fire, some witnesses confirmed the accident was caused by the fire displayed on stage by the band who was playing at the club.
“The band started using fire on the stage and one of their members lit and pointed a fire artefact to the air. The ceiling caught fire and it spread in a fraction of seconds,” said Michele Pereira, 34, who was next to the stage during the gig.
The incident turns the attention to how serious Brazil is about licensing venues and inspecting their commitment to health and safety.
It is still not clear if the band had authorization to use fire works inside the club nor if the emergency exits in the venue complied with safety regulations.
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