Rome - Eight people have been placed under investigation in
connection with a weekend stampede at an Italian nightclub in which
six people died, prosecutors said Monday.
An underage boy is suspected of involuntary manslaughter and causing
bodily harm, youth crime court prosecutor Giovanna Leboroni said in a
press conference in Ancona, as quoted by ANSA news agency.
However, the strength of the evidence against the suspect "has all
yet to be seen," Leboroni added, sounding very cautious about the
development.
Another seven people - four owners of the nightclub venue and three
businesspeople who ran it - are also being investigated, Ancona Chief
Prosecutor Monica Garulli said in the same press conference.
Saturday, six people died in Corinaldo, near the Adriatic town of
Ancona, following a stampede that is suspected to have been caused by
someone using pepper spray inside a crowded nightclub.
People rushed outside and died after a parapet near the club gave
way, resulting in people falling into a ditch and being crushed by
others falling on them.
Crowds were waiting for a concert by Sfera Ebbasta, an Italian trap
singer. Five teenagers aged 14-16 and a 39-year-old woman who was
there with her pre-teen daughter were among the dead.