The death of a 13-year-old girl from injuries received during a New Year's Eve cafe fire in the Netherlands has taken the toll to nine, a local official said Tuesday.
There were fears that the death toll could rise further in days to come, as around 10 people were still in critical condition after the disaster, which occurred when a blaze swept through a packed third-floor cafe in this Dutch town, triggering panic among New Year revelers.
Many were injured when they hurled themselves out of windows in desperation to the street below to escape flames and suffocating smoke at the "Little Heaven," a popular nightspot.
Frank Ijsselmuiden, Volendam's mayor, said the nine people who have died so far were aged between 13 and 22. Seven were men and two were women, and all were from the town.
He said a total of 184 people had to have medical attention after the fire, of whom 90 were hospitalized.
The blaze started when Christmas decorations apparently caught fire, quickly engulfing the crowded room.
There were unconfirmed reports in several local newspapers that the disaster was caused by someone lighting a firework in the cafe, which then set fire to the decorations.
The "Little Heaven" -- a youngsters' nightspot in the fishing town on the Ijseelmeer lake -- was packed to the limit when disaster struck -- VOLENDAM (AFP)
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