The official noise-makers for next year's World Cup in Brazil will be significantly quieter than the vuvuzela horns that caused so many headaches in 2010, researchers say.

A fast-moving fire roared through a crowded, windowless nightclub in southern Brazil, filling the air in seconds with flames and a thick, toxic smoke that killed more than 230 panicked partygoers, many of whom were caught in a stampede to escape.

A blaze tore through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early yesterday, killing 232 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicked party-goers stampeded toward the exits.

A blaze tore through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early today, killing 232 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicked party-goers stampeded toward the exits.