Brazil: mass panic at party - at least nine dead

At least nine people died in a mass panic during a party in Brazil. They were trampled to death in the night of Sunday in Paraisópolis, a district of São Paulo. This was reported by the military police. Seven more people were injured.

The panic had broken out when the police were following two suspects to the party. The officials were said to have been stoned with stones and bottles. In addition, a shot should have fallen.

The police then fired tear gas into the crowd. The visitors tried to escape, but the panic broke out. Around 5000 people celebrated at the "Baile Funk" party.

Baile Funk is a popular in Brazil Hip Hop. The lyrics often reflect everyday life in the favelas and deal with violence, drugs and sex. Violent clashes between warring gangs or bloody police missions have been reported at parties in the past.