7 Dec 2009

Funerals begin for nightclub fire victims

8:55 am on 7 December 2009

The first funerals for some of the 112 victims of a nightclub fire have been held in the Russian city of Perm.

Mourners attended a service at a city church and laid wreaths near the club, where the blaze was sparked by indoor fireworks.

Some expressed anger about lax fire regulations at the club.

Officials say warnings about its safety had been ignored and the owner is one of several people who have been arrested.

More than 140 people were injured in the fire on Friday night.

Monday has been declared a national day of morning.