As many as 17 people, including eight minors, have been killed in a stampede in a nightclub in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, confirmed the officials.
At least five people have been wounded and at least seven have been arrested who are believed to be responsible for the incident.
The wounded have been taken to the hospital.
A middle school graduation party degenerated into a brawl and someone set-off a tear-gas canister triggering a stampede, Al Jazeera quoted Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol, as saying.
According to the local media reports the stampede took place at the Club Los Cotorros in the El Paraíso district in western Caracas.
An investigation is underway.