A 23-year-old man has died after being stabbed on the dancefloor in a nightclub in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police said a murder investigation has been launched.
Officers were called to The Crane nightclub on Adderley Street, Digbeth just before 11.45pm on Boxing Day.
Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead around half an hour later, officers said.
The man had been on a night out with friends when he was approached by a group of people, according to police.
They added that hundreds of people were at the nightclub at the time of the stabbing. Detectives are viewing CCTV from the venue and urge anyone who was in the area to get in touch.
Speaking from the scene, Sky’s Becky Johnson said the nightclub has only been open for a few months.
A man who was working at the club on the night, but did not witness the stabbing, described the aftermath to her as absolute mayhem as people ran out of the club when they realised someone had been stabbed.
Revellers at the nightclub criticised security searches at the event and described a “moody” atmosphere inside the venue.
Sydnee Power, from Birmingham, described “groups of lads” who were “looking to cause trouble”.
The 23-year-old said: “As soon as me and my friends walked in, we got a very weird vibe and the atmosphere wasn’t good…There were just groups of lads everywhere, most of them looked moody.
“A lot of them were definitely looking to cause trouble, they clearly weren’t there to enjoy the music.”
An 18-year-old man from Wolverhampton, who did not want to be named, said the incident was a “disaster waiting to happen”.
He said of the security searches: “Me and the friend I was with, not once did we get asked to clear our pockets out even though mine were full. I had cargo trousers on with pockets full.
“They didn’t even touch me whilst searching me, they just followed the outline of my body with their hands then tapped me to say go on through.
“Obviously you want everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves (but) when we got in I said to my friend: ‘That’s the worst search I’ve ever seen’. Anyone could have brought anything in.”
In a statement on Instagram, The Crane said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened that a man lost his life last night as our Boxing Day event came to a close. Our thoughts are with the victim, and his family and friends.”
It added that the club’s New Years Eve event has been cancelled.
Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a young man enjoying himself with friends on a Boxing Day night out and our thoughts are with his friends and family today.”
She added that there were “hundreds of people in the nightclub at the time” adding that the force believes the victim was “approached by a group of people, and was then stabbed”.
The victim’s family has been told and will be supported by specialist officers, police said.
The scene remains closed while evidence is gathered and neighbourhood officers will be patrolling the area over the coming days to offer reassurance.
