The death toll from Saturday's nightclub fire in the Russian Urals city of Perm has reached 128, regional emergency authorities said on Thursday.

"As of 06.00 Moscow time [03.00 GMT] the number of fire victims has reached 128. In addition, 103 people remain in hospitals...and another five are receiving out-patient treatment," the authorities said.

The fire engulfed the Lame Horse nightclub in the west Urals city in the early hours of Saturday after an indoor fireworks display went awry.

The preliminary investigation revealed serious violations of fire safety regulations at the club.

The regional government of the Perm Territory and Perm Mayor Arkady Kats resigned on Wednesday over the fire. The new government is expected to be formed as soon as the investigation into the cause of the fire and internal investigations are completed.

On Tuesday, Russian Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu sacked a chief fire inspector and six other officials in the Perm Territory over the incident.

Charges were brought on Monday against Lame Horse executive director Svetlana Yefremova, acting art director Oleg Fetkulov and co-owner of the club Anatoly Zak, as well as director of the Pirotsvet fireworks supplier Sergei Derbenev.

Checks are being conducted at nightclubs and other leisure and entertainment facilities across the country in the wake of the Perm tragedy and on the eve of the New Year festivities, which are traditionally accompanied in Russia by firework displays.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD (Russia), December 10 (RIA Novosti)