At least 13 people were killed on Sunday, October 1 morning when fire gutted three nightclubs in Murcia, southeastern Spain.
Authorities are yet to know the cause of the fire that ravaged the building housing the clubs, with fears death toll could rise as rescue workers comb through the debris.
The fire, reports say, started at “Fonda Milagros” club in Atalayas area then spread to the adjoining “Teatre” and Golden night clubs.
“The fire spread from the upper parts of the two clubs, the Teatre disco and the Fonda Milagros disco… which originally were in the same building,” said Diego Seral, spokesman for the national police says.
An emergency service said shortly after 10 pm (2000 GMT) that they will continue to secure the building for the next few hours.
The authority also said that, “It cannot be ruled out that another body may be located.”
The authority also added that 40 firefighters and 12 vehicles had been deployed to tackle the blaze.
– Spain: search for more victims –
One of the victims of the fire, a 28-year-old lady even sent her mother a distress voice message at 6:06 am.
“Mum, I love you, we’re going to die, I love you mum,” a young woman’s voice could be heard crying on the recording while in the background people shout to turn the lights on, as reported by AFP.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that at the tie the fire started, a birthday party was being held at the club.
– Three days of mourning –
Spain’s king has bemoaned the incident, saying that he felt “pain and dismay”. He also thanked rescue workers for what he said was exemplary work.
“Very shocked by the terrible news coming from Murcia after the fire in several nightclubs this past morning… My condolences to the families of the deceased and a huge hug to all those affected,” Spain’s tennis superstar and this year’s Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who comes from Murcia, wrote on X.
The city’s mayor has since announced three days of mourning. Bars and restaurants remained closed Sunday as a mark of respect to the victims.
