Bucharest: A nightclub fire followed by explosions has killed 27 people and injured 180 in downtown Bucharest, authorities announced on Saturday.

Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea said that 27 people were confirmed dead in the explosion in a nightclub named Colectiv on Friday, Xinhua reported.

At least 180 injured persons were admitted in different hospitals in Bucharest, according to Secretary of State of the Health Ministry Raed Arafat.

Emergency service and police forces block the area near a club in Bucharest October 31, 2015, after an explosion. Photo: AFP