Nightclub fire in Murcia: public prosecutor demands up to 8.5-year prison sentences for key defendants

This section points to the two cold-fire spark-generating machines as the cause of the fire and emphasises that their owner "took no precautions as to the risk involved in using such machines indoors". On this point, the prosecutor argues that Teatre's management committed a serious breach in their duty of care, causing a fire that "endangered the lives and physical safety of the people in both nightclubs".

Without administrative authorisation

The public prosecutor's office further notes that, at the time of the tragedy, both premises were operating without all the proper authorisations. From the time the nightclub was taken over until 1 October 2023, the night of the tragedy, the building underwent several modifications, including separating it into two units in 2017. "The modification of the premises", carried out by Marco Martínez under the direction of engineer Carlos J. F., also one of the accused, "without proper administrative oversight", decisively contributed to the risk to people and the rapid spread of the fire from one unit to the other, with fatal consequences for 13 lives.

The prosecution maintains that the defendants "were fully aware that their activities posed a risk to people". At this point in the report, there is a review of the various administrative files concerning the premises, none of which prevented the nightclubs from being packed with partygoers in the early morning hours of this tragic night.

The private prosecutors for the civil liability cases regarding this fire, representing the relatives of those who died in the fire and other affected parties, have also submitted their briefs to the investigating judge. Lawyer José Manuel Muñoz, representing one group of victims, is requesting the same prison sentences as the public prosecution, but is also demanding millions of euros in compensation for the families of three victims, with an initial amount exceeding 2.4 million euros. A similar situation exists with lawyer Pedro López Graña, another of the private prosecutor in this case who adds his voice to the sentencing demands.

The plaintiffs strongly condemn the fact that these business premises were allowed to operate without a license for years.

Lawyer José Manuel Muñoz, representing some of the relatives of the victims of this tragic fire, regrets that no responsibility has been assigned at the municipal level. "It is neither appropriate nor accurate to the reality of these events that all responsibility has been placed exclusively" on the business owners under investigation. "The business activity carried out on these premises lacked the required administrative license for long periods, yet their continued operation was permitted over the years through successive legalisation procedures, inconclusive inspections and administrative actions that did not result in the effective cessation of said activity." The municipal authorities, insist the plaintiffs' legal representatives, "were aware of the existing safety deficiencies and the irregular status of these establishments, without taking any action".