At least 29 people were killed on Tuesday when a fire engulfed Istanbul’s underground Masquerade nightclub during daytime renovation work, Turkish local authorities said, prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents living above it.
Firefighters doused the charred and smoking entrance to the club, which occupies two basement floors, as paramedics rushed victims into ambulances.
Authorities have yet to ascertain the cause of the fire in the 16-storey building on Gündoğdu Street in Gayrettepe Yıldız Posta Avenue.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, re-elected in Sunday elections, told reporters outside the building that there was no application to renovate or do construction at the site, adding that any work would not have been visible from street level.
The fire erupted during renovations at Masquerade nightclub on the ground floor.
Governor Davut Gül said that the deceased people were the employees of the club, adding that the building had a license from 1987 and that it had been renewed twice.
