At least seven people have died and four others have been injured in a devastating fire that broke out at a nightclub in Murcia, Spain, early on Sunday morning, according to local authorities. The injured individuals, two women aged 22 and 25, and two men aged 41 and 45, were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Emergency services are still on the scene, searching for any potential additional victims. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The President of the Murcia region expressed concern and dismay over the incident, stating on social media, “Worried and dismayed by the news coming from there (Murcia). The emergency services continue working.”
As soon as the incident was reported, emergency services quickly responded, with local firefighters requesting assistance from the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies helicopter. However, ground resources were ultimately sufficient to extinguish the fire.
Ricardo Villalba, the General Director of Security and Emergencies, is on-site coordinating with the Murcia City Council to manage the tragedy, according to emergency services. Vice President and Minister of the Interior, Emergencies, and Territorial Planning, Jose Ángel Antelo, is also expected to arrive at the scene.
In response to the tragic event, the city of Murcia has declared three days of mourning. Mayor José Ballesta announced, “Three days of mourning have been declared in the city of Murcia for those who died in the fire that occurred at the Teatre de Atalayas nightclub.”
A press conference has been scheduled for 12:30 p.m. local time on Sunday to provide further information about the incident, as announced by the Murcia City Council.
The nearby Palacio de los Deportes has set up an information area for relatives of the victims, where a team of psychologists will be available to provide assistance.