AT least seven people were killed in a nightclub fire this morning in Murcia, southeastern Spain, authorities said, with four more reported injured.

In a statement on social media, emergency services said the latest count recorded “six fatal victims”, adding that rescuers had managed to enter the building after first being alerted at 6am local time (0400 GMT) that a fire had broken out in the nightclub.

They said they finally managed to enter around 10am and found four bodies, then two others around 40 minutes later.

Four others were injured – two women aged 22 and 25 and two men in their 40s – all suffering from smoke inhalation.

An hour later, the Murcia town hall confirmed the toll had risen to seven.

According to photos released by the emergency services, the fire broke out in the Teatre nightclub, also called Fonda Milagros.

The photos showed water hoses from fire engines still spraying the blackened facade of the club.

Thick smoke could be see billowing from the roof of the building.

“Emergency services are still fighting the fire at the Teatre nightclub,” the Murcia town hall said, adding it “deeply regrets” the accident and offering condolences to those affected. – AFP, October 1, 2023.