Nightclubs in Buenos Aires ordered to close for two weeks

The Buenos Aires municipal government on Saturday ordered all nightclubs in the city to suspend business for two weeks after the Thursday fire set off the security alarm.

A security overhaul would be carried out during this period, Mayor Anibal Ibarra told a press conference.

Security problems were found in most of the city's nightclubs. Out of a total of 258, only 36 nightclubs were up to national security standards, putting about 400,000 revelers in danger every weekend, said Ibarra.

The mayor also pledged a thorough investigation into the Thursday fire and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Fire broke out in a nightclub called Republica de Cromagnon in downtown Buenos Aires on Thursday night, killing 177 people, most of them youngsters, and injuring 889 others.

One of the owners of the nightclub was arrested on Friday and faces charges that could get him up to 20 years in prison, said local police.

Also on Friday, the Argentine government declared three days of mourning till Sunday.

Source: Xinhua