Madrid, 2 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) – The three discotheques in Murcia in south-eastern Spain that burnt out, claiming 13 lives over the weekend, all lacked operating licences, Murcia counsellor for urban planning Antonio Navarro said on Monday.

An official order to shut down had been issued for two of them as long ago as the beginning of last year, Navarro told journalists.

"Teatre and Fonda were operating without a licence after an order to cease operations in January 2022," Navarro said, according to state broadcaster RTVE.

The city authorities would pursue those responsible and act as plaintiff in the investigations, he said.

The order to close the neighbouring discos was issued on account of a redesign of the interior space that had not been given final approval.

Thirteen people died and 24 were injured in the blaze that broke out early on Sunday morning. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained.

Murcia Mayor José Ballesta has declared three days of mourning, and Spain's national police have launched an investigation.