Santa Maria, Brazil (AFP) – A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has mandated the immediate imprisonment of four individuals held responsible for the devastating nightclub fire that claimed 242 lives more than a decade ago.
The recent ruling by Judge Jose Antonio Dias Toffoli reverses decisions by two lower courts in 2022 and 2023 which had annulled the jail sentences—ranging from 18 to 22 years—citing procedural irregularities during the trial. The convicts still have one remaining opportunity to appeal to Brazil’s supreme court, which may either uphold or overturn Judge Toffoli’s directive, as confirmed by a judiciary representative.
The tragic incident unfolded in 2013 at the Kiss nightclub in the southern town of Santa Maria. The fire ignited when a performing band lit flares that set the ceiling ablaze. The resulting sparks from a flare ignited insulating material, producing lethal fumes, according to a police investigation. Among the 242 casualties, many succumbed to asphyxiation while several others burned to death.
Investigators unearthed multiple safety violations at the venue: malfunctioning fire extinguishers, inadequate evacuation routes with only two doors, and poor emergency signage.
In December 2021, two owners of the Kiss nightclub and two members of the Gurizada Fandangueira band were found guilty of murder and attempted murder. The majority of the victims were young university students, adding to the sorrow of the tragedy.
The latest legal development aims to finally bring accountability and justice for the lives lost in one of Brazil’s deadliest nightclub fires. The individuals involved are expected to face stringent measures as the nation reflects on the profound impacts of negligence and the importance of adhering to safety regulations in public spaces.
