Seventeen people, including eight minors, were killed at a crowded Caracas club today when a tear gas canister was detonated, setting off a stampede, Venezuelan officials said.
Over 500 people were at a party at the Los Cotorros club in the middle-class El Paraiso neighbourhood when the device went off at about 3am during a fight between several people. The explosion caused a stampede towards the exits, Venezuela's interior minister Nestor Reverol said.
In comments aired on state VTV television, Mr Reverol put the death toll at 17.
Mr Reverol said authorities had arrested seven people and the investigation was ongoing.
"The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, led by President Nicolas Maduro, deplores this unfortunate event. We send our condolences to the families," he said.
At least five other people were hurt in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment.
