Police estimate that no fewer than 232 lives have been consumed by an accidental blaze in Santa Maria, Brazil. That number has been lowered from a previous official estimate of 245, with authorities cautiously noting that value may rise as injured victim undergo medical treatment. The fire began early on Jan 27, around 2:30 a.m.

Rock group Gurizada Fandangueira was performing when the blaze broke out. Rodrigo Martins, who plays guitar for the band, said he believed their standard on-stage pyrotechnic equipment to have provided the instigating spark. Other eyewitness accounts suggest that a flare, held either by a band member or stage technician, set Kiss nightclub's roof alight.

Individuals attempting to exit the building may have been prevented from leaving more quickly due to the venue's security policy and single exit.

The nightclubbers’ deaths prompted varied responses worldwide. While concerned civilians have flocked to social media to share their thoughts on the incident, Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff made a statement to the press regarding her administration’s sentiments upon receving word of the deaths.

As translated by the BBC news, Rousseff said the Brazilian government was in the process of providing the maximum amount of available resources, “not only to recover the bodies but to give support to all the families at this time.”

Rousseff said that the emergency recovery efforts would occur “as quickly, and efficiently as possible.”

“In this time of sadness, we are together.”

VIDEO: Watch a previous performance by Gurizada Fandangueira recorded at Kiss nightclub 

Contact Executive Producer Graham Clark here, follow him on Twitter  @hello_thankyou