Dutch fire victims buried

Victim Edward Jonk's classmates walked ahead of the hearse

The Dutch town of Volendam has began burying the victims of the New Year's Eve fire tragedy, in which 10 people died.

More than 100 of those injured in the blaze in a crowded cafe remain in hospital, many of them critically ill.

The whole of Volendam is mourning. This has hit everyone

Local resident Ed Bongers

The owner of the cafe has been questioned by police.

Hundreds of mourners took part in a funeral procession through Volendam for 18-year-old Edward Jonk, one of young people from the town who died in the fire.

Dozens of his classmates placed white flowers at his grave.

More services will take place throughout the weekend.

Procession

Around 25 mourners dressed in black and carrying flowers walked through the driving wind and rain ahead of Mr Jonk's hearse.

Over 100 victims are still in hospital

And clergymen dressed in blue robes and carrying the cross led the procession from the town's Roman Catholic Church to the grave site.

"The whole of Volendam is mourning. This has hit everyone," Volendam resident Ed Bongers told the Associated Press news agency as he paid his respects at the church.

Another mourner spoke of his 15-year-old niece, who was "hanging by a thread" after receiving 40% burns in the blaze.

"Every phone call makes you jump," he said.

Bars and restaurants in Volendam closed early and many houses were flying Dutch flags at half mast as a mark of respect.

Investigations

All 10 of those killed in the tragedy were in their teens or early twenties and most went to the same school .

Flowers were left near the scene of the tragedy

A total of 140 injured are still in hospital and many of them remain critically ill.

Two investigations are under way into the disaster.

One will gather evidence about how the fire began.

Survivors have spoken of how party-goers with sparklers ignited ceiling decorations by accident.

A second inquiry will look into how the disaster was handled.

The Dutch health minister says she wants to cut the use of flammable materials in synthetic clothing.