More than 70 people were reported to have died as a result of a fire that hit a five-story building in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa (South Africa). Dozens of other people were injured.
“There are currently 73 fatalities and 52 injured people who have been rushed to various health facilities to receive further medical treatment,” said Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi, as reported by the news agency. AFPThursday (31/8/2023).
At least seven children were among those killed in the fire. Mulaudzi said that the youngest victim was less than two years old. Some of the victims were charred beyond recognition.
A reporter AFP at the scene said emergency services continued to remove the charred bodies from the building, and laid them under blankets and sheets on the street outside the building.
“This is a truly sad day for the city of Johannesburg… in 20 years of service, I have never come across anything like this,” Mulaudzi said.
It is not yet clear what caused the fire that broke out last night. This fire is expected to be one of the deadliest fires in the world in recent years.
Mgcini Tshwaku, a member of the mayor’s committee responsible for public safety, said candles used for lighting inside the building were likely to blame.
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Mulaudzi said the building was located in what was once South Africa’s central economic business district and was used as an informal settlement, indicating that many people may be living there illegally.
