A fire erupted in adjacent nightclubs in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia, claiming the lives of at least 13 individuals, according to reports from emergency services on Sunday. The aftermath of the blaze left rescuers engaged in a frantic search for those who remained unaccounted for.
Diego Seral, a representative of Spain’s National Police, revealed to reporters that the victims were discovered within the Fonda nightclub, one of three interconnected clubs that bore the brunt of the fire’s fury, leading to the collapse of its roof. The collapse complicated rescue efforts and made it challenging to determine the exact point of origin of the fire.
Emergency services initially reported the death toll as 13, with ongoing investigations into the cause of the devastating blaze.
Earlier, Murcia’s Mayor Jose Ballesta informed the press that seven bodies had been found on the first floor, where the fire initially ignited. A spokesperson for the Teatre nightclub, Maria Dolores Albellan, shared with reporters that the fire had originated in the neighboring La Fonda club before rapidly spreading to the two adjoining clubs.
Spanish media outlets noted that several birthday celebrations were underway when the tragedy unfolded. In a solemn gesture, Ballesta declared three days of mourning to honor those who lost their lives, and flags were lowered to half-mast outside Murcia’s City Hall.
Footage released by Murcia’s fire service depicted firefighters valiantly battling the flames within the nightclub, which had suffered extensive damage, including a partial roof collapse.
“We are devastated,” Mayor Ballesta expressed on Spanish TV channel 24h, emphasizing that rescue teams were tirelessly searching for several individuals who remained missing.
Mayor Ballesta further detailed that the fire had ignited at approximately 6 a.m. but had since been brought under control. Four individuals were hospitalized for smoke inhalation as a result of the tragic incident.
