(AP) -- ZURICH- FIFA expressed confidence in Brazilian authorities' security plans for the 2014 World Cup on Sunday after a nightclub fire killed more than 230 people in the southern city of Santa Maria.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who began a four-day visit to Brazil on Sunday, posted a message on his Twitter account expressing his sympathies.
"Very sad to hear of the tragedy in southern Brazil. My condolences to the families of victims," wrote Valcke, who is scheduled to visit Fortaleza, Brasilia, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro in the center and north of the country.
Santa Maria is about 155 miles from Porto Alegre, one of 12 World Cup host cities.
Safety issues for the World Cup, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics are the responsibility of local organizing committees and Brazilian city, state and federal agencies.
"FIFA has full confidence in the security plans of the LOC and the local authorities," soccer's governing body said in a statement, declining further comment on "this tragic incident."
The International Olympic Committee said that "we simply send our sympathies to friends and families."
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