A nightclub fire in Bucharest resulted in 27 deaths, say Romanian authorities.

Emergency services were called to the Collectiv nightclub at around 23:00 after a fire broke out.

Survivors say the blaze was caused by a heavy metal band set off fireworks on stage, which caused a pillar and the ceiling to catch fire, producing thick black smoke.

The chaos that followed caused a stampede, resulting in the death of 27 people and 140 more needing hospital treatment for complications ranging from severe burns to smoke inhalation.

Romania has declared three days of national mourning.

President Klaus Iohannis said that safety regulations seem to have been ignored, and that he hoped the authorities would “manage their inquiry with speed and rigour”.