an investigation opened for “involuntary homicide”

Two days after the fire at a nightclub in southeastern Spain, investigations continue. Spanish justice announced on Tuesday, October 3, the opening of an investigation into “involuntary homicide” after the fire that occurred on Sunday in this establishment in Murcia, where 13 people died. An investigating judge “will be responsible for directing the investigation with a view to clarifying the facts and determining, where applicable, criminal responsibilities”specifies the court.

The Murcia town hall announced on Monday that the nightclub, where the fire broke out on Sunday around 6 a.m., had been the subject of an administrative closure order since last year which had not been applied. . The cessation of activity was decreed because the company managing the premises only had a license for a nightclub, the Teatre, while it had opened another in the same space, the Fonda Milagros, where the deadly fire took place. The managers of the establishment denied this and claimed to be in good standing.

According to the Attorney General of the Murcia region, José Luis Díaz Manzanera, the penalties in this case could be up to four years in prison, or even nine years given the high number of victims. The investigation must determine “if there was a lack of preventive measures” against fires, he said in an interview with the local press. “There could also have been a short circuit which would not have been caused by a shortage” prevention, he added.