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Date Published: 01/10/2023

13 dead in Murcia nightclub fire tragedy

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It is the deadliest nightclub fire in Spain in 33 years

13 dead in Murcia nightclub fire tragedy

At least thirteen people have died and four more have been injured when a fire broke out in two nightclubs near the Atalayas shopping centre in central Murcia.

The Teatre and Fonda Milagros nightclubs burst into flames at around 6am on Sunday October 1. Firefighting crews consisting of no fewer than 12 fire engines and 40 firefighters were able to extinguish the flames rapidly, but not before more than a dozen people lost their lives and others suffered from smoke inhalation.

So far, there are thirteen confirmed fatalities linked to the fire, but that number could increase as more victims are found.

It is the deadliest nightclub fire in Spain since the blaze that tore through ‘Flying’ in Zaragoza in 1990, which left 43 dead.

The four people suffering injuries related to smoke inhalation are known to be two women aged 22 and 25 and two men aged 41 and 45, all of whom are now in hospital.

Police have stated that the origin of the fire, which spread through the upper part of both premises, is not clear. An investigation will ensue to determine the exact cause of the fire, led by police units specialising in fire and homicide cases.

Initial indications suggest that the investigation is currently focusing on whether the fire could have started due to a short circuit in one of the lights in the room.

Originally, the Fonda Milgaros and Teatre were the same venue, but they were divided in two to create two separate nightclubs.

When the fire broke out, the flames spread quickly and the roof ended up caving in. All the deceased who have been located so far were of people who were on the upper floor of the Fonda when they were surprised by the flames and couldn’t get out.

Murcia City Council has set up an area in the Palacio de los Deportes sports centre for families and those affected, where psychological support and units specialised in emergency cases will be available to help them if needed.

The stories of the those who were in the nightclubs at the time the fire started are harrowing, to say the least. Many thought they were witnessing their final moments, and some did.

Jairo, the father of one of those inside while the fire raged, shared with the media an audio message that his 28-year-old daughter sent via WhatsApp to her mother. “Mami, I love you, we are going to die,” she can be heard saying in the message, sent at 6.06am and with a broken voice, while screams can be heard all around her. Jairo says that after that message was received, the mobile phone turned off.

Eric was celebrating his 30th birthday party at the Fonda Milagros nightclub with about twenty family members last night. Alan Antonio, one of Eric’s cousins, was called early in the morning when the tragedy occurred inside the nightclub. “When I arrived the fire already covered the entire roof and façade of the nightclub,” he said. “They say it was full. The people who were downstairs did manage to get out, those who were upstairs did not.”

Political response

The Mayor of Murcia city, José Ballesta, sent a message of “strength and encouragement to family and friends in these difficult times” and has declared three days of official mourning in the city.

The President of the Region of Murcia, Fernando López Miras, said that “today is a day of mourning and pain” for the Region. “My condolences to family and friends, and all my love in these moments of so much pain that we share,” he said.

Pedro Sánchez, acting President of the Government of Spain, has conveyed his “affection and solidarity” to the relatives of the “tragic” fire that occurred this morning, as well as his “support and collaboration” to the president of the Region of Murcia.

The leader of the PP opposition party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, wrote on Twitter, “I am very sorry and want to accompany the families of the victims of the fire that occurred this morning in Murcia in their pain.”

Several distressing videos emerged on social media of the fire even as it raged with people fleeing the scene.

➡️ Imágenes que me hacen llegar del trágico #incendio en #Murcia . pic.twitter.com/5K9weGaxvy
— Víctor Manuel Fernández De La Cotera Blázquez (@VctorManueFdez) October 1, 2023

Arde de madrugada la discoteca Teatre en la zona de Atalayas, en Murcia. Cuatro heridos, de los que dos han sido ingresados en el hospital.
Vía @MomentoMurciano pic.twitter.com/ywumqgTncB
— Manuel Segura Verdú (@manuelsegura) October 1, 2023

Image 1: Bomberos Murcia

Image 2: Ayuntamiento de Murcia

Image 3: 112 Región de Murcia

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