Teenagers die in nightclub stampede in Mexico

At least 12 people have died in a stampede during a police raid on a nightclub in Mexico City. Nine of them were young people celebrating the end of the school year, and three were policemen. At least 18 people were injured.

The disaster occured when police went to raid the News Divine nightclub. They had been tipped off that alcohol and drugs were being sold in the club.

The raid provoked panic and more than 1,000 people dashed for the emergency exit, which was blocked by cases of beer. The victims were asphyxiated in the crush.

Police arrested more than 30 youths, and the nightclub owner, in the crackdown.

Selling alcohol to people under the age of 18 is illegal in Mexico, but the law is largely ignored by bar and club owners.

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