What happened
A fire at the Utopía nightclub in Lima’s Jockey Plaza complex killed 29 people in 2002 during a party that used open flame and animals as part of an entertainment show.
The investigation
Investigators examined blocked or inadequate exits, safety systems, occupancy and management decisions. Families spent years pushing for criminal accountability.
What the courts or investigators concluded
Club administrators were eventually convicted after a long legal process that included appeals and extradition issues.
Why the case remains significant
The disaster became a reference point in Peru for venue safety, emergency planning and the consequences of treating basic fire protections as optional.
Case context
Crime by Region organizes cases geographically so readers can move from one file to other investigations from the same country. For unresolved or contested cases, the wording above reflects the distinction between confirmed events, investigative theories and findings actually established in court.