Spain: Nightclub fire kills 11 in Murcia
At least 11 people have died in a fire at a nightclub in the south-eastern city of Murcia, Spanish authorities say, BBC reports.
The blaze broke out in the popular Teatre nightclub, in the Atalayas area, at around 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT). Video shared online shows flames raging above the building and thick, dark smoke pouring out of its large windows. Emergency services are looking for people who are missing and were in the premises at the time.
"We are devastated," Murcia Mayor Jose Ballesta said on Spanish TV channel 24h, adding rescuers were still searching for several people reported missing.
He has decreed three days of mourning in Murcia.
Relatives are arriving at the scene to try and locate loved ones, he added.
Emergency services said firefighters finally managed to enter around 08:00 and discovered four bodies, then two others around 40 minutes later.
Four are being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation. A local sports venue is being used to provide counselling for those affected.
It is not clear what caused the fire, which broke out when the club was still busy. The Murcia town hall said it deeply regretted the accident and offered condolences to those affected.
