Many of the victims, some of whom had been playing cards in a tournament at the Vila Nova da Rainha social, cultural and recreational club when the fire broke out, were crushed in the panic.
Initially the death toll had been confirmed at eight, although it was revised upwards to nine, on Wednesday afternoon.
Regarding the investigation, an official told Lusa News Agency that “in the investigations directed by the Viseu district DIAP [Department for Penal Investigation and Action] the Office of Public Prosecutions is being aided by the Polícia Judiciária” (PJ) police force.
On Monday, the mayor of Tondela, José António Jesus, told Lusa that the club was set up in 1979, since when various bits of construction work have been carried out on the building.
According to Jesus, the building was adapted to serve as the association’s headquarters in 1992, for which a works licence was issued.
On Monday the council of Tondela declared three days of municipal mourning following the fire in the town of Vila Nova da Rainha.
The fire, which killed nine people and injured over three dozen more, broke out when more than 60 people were at the club, many as part of a card tournament.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the Minister of Internal Administration, Eduardo Cabrita, visited the place where the tragedy occurred, and speaking at the spot said their thoughts went out to the families of the victims.