Authorities Probe Nightclub Fire In Spain

Emergency workers are on Monday painstakingly sifting through the charred remains of a popular nightclub complex in Murcia, Spain, where a devastating fire claimed the lives of 13 people over the weekend. This horrifying incident marks Spain's deadliest nightclub fire in more than 30 years. The inferno erupted early Sunday morning in a building housing the Teatre and Fonda Milagros discos on the outskirts of Murcia. Authorities are working tirelessly to determine the cause of the blaze, which has left the nation in shock. Thankfully, all individuals previously reported missing after the fire have now been accounted for, according to local officials. This includes three people who were at a nearby beach with their phones turned off, causing temporary concern for their safety. The initial investigation suggests that the fire originated in the Fonda nightclub and rapidly spread to adjacent venues, where terrified patrons attempted to flee. The tragic outcome was particularly concentrated in the Fonda establishment, where a birthday party was in progress at the time. Chilling video footage from the Murcia fire brigade shows brave firefighters battling fierce flames within the venue, passing bar tables still adorned with untouched drinks. One distraught parent, Jairo, revealed that his 28-year-old daughter was among the victims. She left a heart-wrenching voicemail at 6:06 am, saying, "Mum, I love you. We're going to die. I love you mum," as cries for someone to turn on the lights echoed in the background. Investigators suspect that the fire swiftly spread through the air conditioning vents, explaining the rapid escalation of the disaster. Police have been able to identify three of the victims through their fingerprints, while the remaining bodies will require DNA testing due to the extent of their burns. As the city of Murcia mourns this tragedy, Murcia city hall has declared three days of mourning, and a minute of silence was observed at noon on Monday to honor the victims. An information area for victims' relatives, staffed with psychologists, has been established in a nearby sports hall to provide crucial support during this traumatic time. While the investigation into the exact cause of the fire continues, the Spanish people are left grappling with the painful memories of past nightclub fires, including the 1990 blaze in Zaragoza and the deadliest nightclub fire in Spain's history in December 1983, which claimed 81 lives in Madrid, attributed to smoke, a lighting system failure, and a closed emergency door.