In Pictures: Paraguay blaze

1 of 12 Paraguayan firefighters rush in to the Ycua Bolanos shopping centre in the capital, Asuncion, to tackle a huge blaze.

2 of 12 Facing thick black smoke, rescuers pull out the living and the dead.

3 of 12 This woman is one of many people who were enjoying a Sunday outing at the store when disaster struck.

4 of 12 Shock and pain are evident as the injured are carried from the scene.

5 of 12 The scale of the tragedy has stretched the resources of one of South America's poorest countries.

6 of 12 Hours later, almost 300 people are confirmed dead as the death toll continues to rise.

7 of 12 Some relatives have tried to get inside the smouldering wreckage to find their missing loved ones.

8 of 12 Local people pitch in to help and calls have been made to donate supplies to the overwhelmed hospitals.

9 of 12 The building's parking garage is left gutted...

10 of 12 ...where many shoppers had been burnt alive inside their cars.

11 of 12 Many broke down in tears after learning the fate of their relatives and friends.

12 of 12 Paraguay's president has spoken of the whole nation's anguish at the tragedy.