The number of deaths from a horrific nightclub fire and stampede in Romania is expected to rise significantly because so many of the injured have severe burns.

Ioan Lascar, a doctor at the Floreasca Emergency Hospital, made the comment as the deaths of two more people in the Bucharest club blaze brought the overall toll to 29. At least 180 people were injured in the blaze, and over 140 were still in hospital today.

Emergency situations official Raed Arafat told reporters it was possible the death toll could double.

Forensic experts have begun the first autopsies of victims.

Clubbers who fled the fire ended up in a panicked stampede toward the only door in the basement nightclub Colectiv in Bucharest.

Witnesses say the fire erupted after a spark on stage from a heavy metal pyrotechnics show ignited foam decor. Authorities are still collecting evidence from the scene.

Yesterday, the government decreed three days of mourning.