Ten people have died from injuries suffered during a New Year's Eve cafe fire, according to a new death toll released by hospital sources today.
Officials feared the toll could rise further in days to come as around nine people were still in critical condition after the disaster, which occurred when a blaze swept through a packed third-floor cafe in this fishing village north of Amsterdam.
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The death of a 13-year-old girl was announced earlier in the day, the fire's ninth victim.
Many were injured when they leapt from windows in desperation to the street about six meters (20 feet) below to escape flames and suffocating smoke inside the "Little Heaven," a popular nightspot.
Volendam mayor, Mr Frank Ijsselmuiden, said a total of 184 people had received medical treatment after the fire, of whom 90 were hospitalised.
The blaze started when Christmas decorations apparently caught fire, quickly engulfing the crowded club.
Witnesses told several local newspapers that someone had set off a firework inside the cafe, which then set fire to the decorations.
AFP