Mexico City:  Police blocked the exit at a Mexico City nightclub where 12 people were crushed to death in a stampede after a raid, according to images released today by the city s public security department.

Seventeen police officers have been fired, and the man in charge of the police raid at the club will likely be charged with homicide, Mexico City officials said.

Nine youths and three police were killed on Friday when police raided a nightclub where some 1,000 people had gathered to fete the end of the school year to break up the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.

Officials yesterday released incriminating video footage taken on the inside of the New Divine nightclub, in which police are seen forming a barrier on the stairway that lead to the nightclub's only accessible exit.

Youths are seen screaming and beating on the ceiling of the stairway, trying to get out.

The footage includes images in the street, where civilians are seen desperately trying to help kids lying on the ground, some of whom appear to be dead.

The man in charge of the raid, Guillermo Zayas, ordered his men not to allow anyone out of the venue because police vans were already full, city officials told the Mexican newspaper Reforma.

He will likely be charged with the deaths of the 12 victims, officials said. The owner of the nightclub and two employees were also arrested.

The club's emergency exit was blocked with case f beer.

Seven youths and three police died at the scene. An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old succumbed to injuries in the hospital, here around 20 others were rushed for treatment.

Source : PTI