A festive birthday celebration in southeastern Spain’s Murcia turned into a horrifying tragedy as a fire engulfed the “Teatre” nightclub, also known as “Fonda Milagros,” claiming the lives of at least 13 people. Rescue efforts continue as authorities fear the toll could rise further.
The devastating incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning when flames broke out in the two-storey nightclub, sending shockwaves through the community. Emergency services, responding swiftly to the distress calls, reported on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that firefighters were tirelessly working at the scene, with the possibility of more victims yet to be ruled out.
Murcia’s Mayor, Jose Ballesta, described the situation as “extremely serious.” Speaking at the scene, Ballesta expressed the challenging nature of extracting bodies from the rubble due to the risk of structural collapse. Firefighters, who were dispatched to the scene at 7:00 am, managed to extinguish the fire by 8:00 am.
Images shared by emergency services reveal firefighters battling the blaze, water hoses from fire trucks dousing the blackened facade of the club, and thick smoke billowing from the building’s roof.
The authorities reported that four individuals sustained injuries, two women aged 22 and 25, and two men in their forties, all suffering from smoke inhalation.
The nightclub was hosting a birthday party on Saturday night when the fire broke out. Initial information suggests that the fire originated on the first floor of the establishment, which includes both a ground floor and a first floor, according to Diego Seral, the national police spokesman.
Forensic and judicial experts have been deployed to the scene to investigate the cause of the devastating fire.
The firefighting effort involved more than 40 firefighters and 12 emergency vehicles, as local authorities and rescue teams worked tirelessly to manage the situation.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, expressed solidarity with the victims and their families in the wake of the tragic incident. The city’s town hall issued a statement deeply regretting the accident and extended condolences to all those affected. In response to the tragedy, the mayor announced that three days of mourning would be observed and established a reception base for the relatives of the victims.
This tragic nightclub fire serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by crowded entertainment venues and the critical importance of safety measures and protocols to protect patrons. Authorities are focused on determining the cause of the fire and ensuring the well-being of those affected by this devastating event.
Sources By Agencies
