A fire occurred during the nighttime in Johannesburg, engulfing a dilapidated five-story building that was inhabited by squatters and homeless individuals. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of at least 74 people, including 12 children. Some of the occupants attempted to escape by jumping out of windows, resulting in potential fatalities, according to a local government official. Among the victims, seven were children, with the youngest being just one year old, as reported by an emergency services spokesperson. Witnesses estimated that approximately 200 individuals resided in the building.
During a press conference, Thembalethu Mpahlaza, the head of forensics services in Gauteng province, confirmed the involvement of 12 children among the 74 deceased individuals, further emphasizing the magnitude of the tragedy. Emergency crews anticipated discovering additional victims as they painstakingly combed through the building, though progress was impeded by the challenging conditions inside. Numerous bodies, some covered with silver sheets and blankets and others placed in body bags, were arranged along a nearby side road.
The blaze erupted at approximately 1 am on Thursday (23:00 GMT on Wednesday) in the heart of Johannesburg’s central business district, resulting in injuries to 52 people, according to Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS). President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the site in the evening, referring to the fire as a “great tragedy” that deeply affected the families who lost their loved ones in such a horrific manner. In televised remarks, he expressed his hopes that investigations into the incident would prevent similar tragedies in the future. He also acknowledged that the fire served as a wake-up call to address the housing situation in the inner city.
