Luanda — The Angolan minister of National Defence, Cândido Pereira Van-Dúnem, Thursday in Luanda expressed deep sense of regret over the deaths of more than 200 young people in a fire occurred on January 27 in the Kiss nightclub, in Santa Maria city, Brazil.

The minister expressed dismay when speaking at the presentation ceremony of the New Year greetings to Defence attachés accredited in Angola, also attended by the military representative of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

"I could not end my speech without referring to the tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 27 January, having claimed over two hundred lives," the minister regretted.

"At this time of grief and pain may we bow before the memory of the deceased and express our solidarity with the brotherly people of Brazil, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," added Cândido Pereira dos Santos Van-Dúnem.

On Tuesday, the National Defence minister received New Year's greetings from military attachés mission of Italy, Brazil, China, Russia, United States, France, Cuba, Portugal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.