Nightclub fire kills at least nine in Spain

Nightclub fire kills at least nine in Spain

MADRID (Reuters): At least nine people have been killed in a fire in a nightclub in Murcia in southeast Spain, the mayor said, adding that rescuers were still searching for people unaccounted for after the blaze.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday in Teatre nightclub in Atalayas, on the outskirts of the city, emergency services said on social media platform X.

Murcia’s Mayor Jose Ballesta told reporters nine people were confirmed dead. Earlier, he said seven had been found in the same area of the first floor, where the fire broke out.

Outside the club, young people hugged, looking shocked as they waited for information about those missing.

READ ALSO:

• Nine dead, 20 trapped after Mexico church collapse
• Former Chicago State University President to sue Tinubu over forged certificate
• Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool: ‘VAR error undermined sporting integrity’ – Reds

“I’ve got five family members inside, I don’t know where they are. And two friends,” said a man, who did not give his name.

Ballesta declared three days of mourning for those who had died. Flags were lowered to half mast outside Murcia’s City Hall.

Footage released by Murcia’s fire service showed firefighters working to control flames inside the nightclub. The fire had destroyed part of the roof, the footage showed.

“We are devastated,” Ballesta said on Spanish TV channel 24h, adding rescuers were still searching for several people reported missing.

Ballesta told 24h the fire started at around 6 a.m and had now been brought under control.

He said emergency services were working to establish the cause of the blaze. Four people have been treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.

Nightclub fire kills at least nine in Spain