Istanbul nightclub fire kills at least 29 people with more injured

A fire at an Istanbul nightclub has killed at least 29 people, according to officials.

The blaze broke out during renovation work at the site on Tuesday and several people, including managers at the club, have been detained for questioning.

At least one person was being treated at a hospital, the Istanbul governor's office said in a statement.

The Masquerade nightclub, which was closed at the time for the renovation work, was on the ground floor of a 16-story residential building in the Besiktas district on the European side of the city bisected by the Bosphorus.

Relatives of the victims of the fire were seen in tears near the scene (AFP via Getty Images)

The fire has been extinguished.Governor Davut Gul told reporters at the scene that the cause of the fire was under investigation, and the victims were believed to be involved in the renovation work.Authorities detained five people for questioning, including managers of the club and one person in charge of the renovations, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said.

Firefighters rest during their intervention at the site of the fire (AFP via Getty Images)

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said authorities were inspecting the entire building to assess its safety.

He posted on X: "May God have mercy on our citizens who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to our injured."Several firefighting and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, he added.