At least 21 people have been killed in a stampede at a Chicago night club.
Dozens of people were injured in the stampede.
Police say a fight broke out between three women in the club. Security personnel apparently used mace and pepper spray to break up the fight and in the ensuing melee, club goers rushed down a staircase leading to the front door.
Witnesses said people started falling, and the crowd poured over them.
Initial eyewitness reports said said security staff blocked the front door. Other witnesses said patrons were told they had to exit via a steep front stairway, even though there was at least one rear exit.
Fire services personnel who arrived at around 2am local time found the rear exit padlocked and had to break the chains to release trapped clubbers.
Officials said there had been more than 1,500 people in the two-storey club at the time of the disaster.
