Argentine disco blaze case begins

Relatives blamed lax safety standards for the tragedy

The trial has begun in Argentina of a nightclub owner charged in connection with a fire at his venue in Buenos Aires which left 194 people dead.

Six rock musicians and several local officials are also accused over the blaze, which injured hundreds of others attending a concert in December 2004.

The fire - the deadliest in the country's history - brought down the then government in the capital.

The trial is set to last seven months and hear more than 300 witnesses.

The blaze broke out after someone set off flares inside the Cromagnon Republic nightclub.

The venue's owner, Omar Chaban, and members of the Los Callejeros rock group, who were playing that night, face prison terms ranging from eight to 20 years if convicted.

Prosecutors reportedly accuse Mr Chaban of packing out the 1,500-capacity club with more than 4,000 people and blocking exits to stop fans without tickets from sneaking in.

It is alleged that the musicians encouraged fans to set off flares during the gig, the Associated Press news agency reports.

The three officials could receive prison sentences from two months to a year if convicted of failing to enforce city safety regulations, according to AP.

Grieving family members held up images of the dead in the crowded court chamber as a three-judge panel read out the charges against Mr Chaban.

The controversy surrounding the fire forced the removal from office of the then city mayor and led to tight security measures being imposed at venues across Argentina.