SPAIN, Murcia, Oct 1, (Agencies): A tragic fire at a nightclub in Murcia, a city in the southeast of Spain, has claimed the lives of at least 13 people. The devastating incident occurred at the Fonda Milagros nightclub in the Atalayas area around 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT).

Disturbing videos shared online depict ferocious flames engulfing the building, with dense, dark smoke billowing from its windows. As emergency services diligently search for individuals who may still be missing and were inside the premises during the fire, there remains a somber warning that the number of victims may rise.

One particularly heart-wrenching account revealed that a 28-year-old woman, yet to be located, sent a voice message to her mother as the fire began, saying, "Mummy, I love you, we're going to die." This young woman had gone out with her partner and friends from the nearby town of Caravaca de la Cruz, explaining, "They went because in Caravaca there are no nightclubs," as shared by her father, Jairo. This outing was only her second visit to the nightclub.

Firefighters bravely entered the building around 08:00, where they discovered four bodies initially and two more approximately 40 minutes later. Their search efforts continued as they combed through the Fonda Milagros premises.

While four individuals are receiving treatment at a hospital for smoke inhalation, a local sports venue has been set up to offer counseling and support to those affected by this tragedy.

The exact cause of the fire, which occurred when the nightclub was still bustling with activity, remains unclear. Diego Seral, a representative of the national police, revealed that "substantial structural damage" contributed to the nightclub's collapse.

The Murcia town hall expressed profound regret over the accident and extended condolences to all those affected. Murcia Mayor Jose Ballesta conveyed his devastation on Spanish TV channel 24h, emphasizing that rescue teams are diligently searching for several individuals who are reported as missing.

In response to this heartbreaking incident, Mayor Ballesta declared three days of mourning in Murcia, a city now united in grief as relatives arrive at the scene, desperately seeking to locate their loved ones. This nightclub fire is believed to be the worst such tragedy in over three decades, recalling the devastating blaze in a Zaragoza venue in 1990 that claimed the lives of 43 people.