Twelve teen clubbers killed in rush to escape police raid

YOUNG clubbers rushed for the exits during a police raid on a Mexico City club, leaving at least 12 people dead in the crush.

Police chief Joel Ortega said three police officers and nine youths, at least three of them minors, were killed. At least 13 others were injured.

Police went to the News Divine club in the working-class district of Nueva Atzacoalco yesterday to check reports of drugs and alcohol being sold to minors.

Mr Ortega told local TV that the club's owner announced to the crowd that officers were there to arrest them, causing a stampede. He denied officers threw tear gas inside the club, and said no shots were fired. Police said they detained 39 people, including the owner.

Dozens of riot police were sent to control a crowd of sobbing relatives and friends that gathered at the scene.

Mr Ortega said about 500 young people – more than the club's capacity – were there to celebrate the end of the school year and more were waiting in line to get in.

Mr Ortega added that the venue had a single entrance plus one emergency exit, which was obstructed by cases of beer.

"It was too small and it was there that people died of asphyxia," he said.