A devastating fire tore through a five-story building in Johannesburg, claimed the lives of at least 74 individuals, including 12 children, with the youngest victim being just 1 year old. The city officials and medical authorities held a press conference to provide updates on the death toll, mentioning that several individuals are still missing, and many of the recovered bodies are unrecognizable due to extensive burns.
Over 50 people sustained injuries, six of whom are in critical condition and receiving treatment at the hospital. The emergency services initially cautioned that the death count may increase as they continued their search efforts for more than 12 hours following the outbreak of the blaze at approximately 1 am.
The origin of the fire remains unknown. However, Mgcini Tshwaku, a member of the city’s mayoral committee responsible for public safety, speculated that the use of candles for lighting inside the structure may have sparked the fire. He also highlighted the presence of a closed security gate inside the building, which hindered people from escaping, leading to the discovery of several charred bodies near the gate.
The building had been inhabited by homeless individuals without formal lease agreements, making it challenging to conduct a thorough search of the premises. Eyewitnesses estimated that around 200 people had been living in the building.
Living illegally in vacant buildings is a common practice in Johannesburg’s city center, often facilitated by criminal syndicates who charge rent to occupants. This tragedy sheds light on the dire circumstances faced by these vulnerable populations.
Speaking at an event in Gqeberha, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences and described the fire as a “great tragedy.” He extended his sympathies to all those affected by the disaster.
The incident serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need to address homelessness and improve safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.
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