Student crushed to death in nightclub

A young woman has died in a “stampede”, in a Northampton night club.

Two others remain critically ill and at least eight people were treated for minor injuries, all thought to be the result of crushing in the Lava & Ignite nightclub.

Nabila Nanfuka, 22, is believed to have suffered a heart attack after being crushed on a landing area halfway down a staircase.

She studied leisure and tourism at Northampton University.

Up to 1,300 students from across the UK attended the event, DNA Presents Wickedest Wickedest, a hip-hop and R&B night.

It was due to go on until 4am but at 3.30am managers began moving everyone towards the exits.

James Adetula, who attended the event says, “It was ‘everybody the coaches are leaving, make your way to the exits,’ so everybody went for the exits. The next minute the fire alarm went off and everybody started panicking. There was obviously a stampede of people in there when the fire alarm went off.”

Over 2,500 people have joined a Facebook page set up in memory of Nanfuka.

Emergency services said they were called to the club shortly after 3.30am. Supt Andy Cox of Northamptonshire police said that officers will be working with the club, the event’s organisers and local authorities to work out exactly what happened.

Officers will also look at CCTV footage from inside and outside the club.

Lava & Ignite issued a statement saying the venue would be closed temporarily. Northampton Council will carry out a review of the club’s licence.

A spokesperson for Luminar, which runs the club, said the company would “cooperate fully with police to find out exactly what happened.”