Venue Owners Arrested Following Fire Tragedy

Romanian police have arrested the owners of the Bucharest nightclub which caused a fire and explosion that killed 27 people and injured 160 more during a metal gig this past weekend.

As The Guardian reports, prosecutors issued 24-hour arrest warrants for the Colectiv nightclub owners, Costin Mincu, Alin George Anastasescu and Paul Gancea on suspicion of manslaughter, after they were accused of allowing too many people into the venue.

It is understood the three men will ask the court for 30-day warrants.

Metal act Goodbye To Gravity were in the middle of their set on Friday when witnesses claimed that fireworks let off inside the club caused the ceiling to burst into flames. 

"Data and evidence ... have shown the fire occurred because the people managing the respective space encouraged and allowed a number of people above the club’s limit in a space that was not endowed with more emergency exits," prosecutors said.

They went on to say the fireworks which set off the explosion "...contained easily flammable materials illegally installed to avoid additional costs."

It has been reported that many Romanians are blaming local authorities for the the tragic incident and are accusing them of failing to properly inspect clubs and public spaces.

Doctors have confirmed more than 130 of the injured club-goers were in hospital as of Monday and more than half are still in critical condition.