A devastating fire has claimed the lives of at least 73 individuals in a multi-storey building situated in Johannesburg, according to South African authorities.
More than 50 others have suffered injuries as a result of the blaze.
The tragic incident occurred in a five-storey structure located in the city center, which had been abandoned but had become a makeshift home for homeless people.
The cause of the fire remains uncertain, leaving officials perplexed as to its origins. The building, owned by the city of Johannesburg, had been overrun by cartels, as revealed in a press conference by city representatives.
Emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi informed the BBC that firefighters managed to rescue some occupants, yet the fire had devastated the building, necessitating an ongoing search for additional victims.
Disaster management personnel are on-site, extending aid to surviving residents. Mulaudzi conveyed that after the search for victims concludes, the scene will be turned over to the South African police.
“We are systematically searching each floor for remains,” Mulaudzi shared with local broadcaster ENCA.
A video uploaded by Mulaudzi on the X platform (formerly Twitter) depicted fire trucks and ambulances outside the building, which had windows blackened by the flames. Photos revealed covered bodies placed in rows near the charred structure.
One distraught woman recounted her efforts to locate her 24-year-old daughter, saying, “Upon hearing that the building was ablaze, I knew I had to rush here to find her. Yet now that I’m here, I’m in limbo. I lack information, and my anxiety is overwhelming. I have no idea about my daughter’s fate.”
The building, situated in what was once a commercial district in South Africa’s economic hub, had turned into an informal settlement.
The area is notorious for “hijacked” buildings, which are structures unlawfully seized by undocumented migrants, primarily from other African nations.
Mulaudzi explained that the building had been previously deserted, but homeless individuals sought refuge within during the harsh winter months.
Since it was an unofficial arrangement without a proper lease, the building suffered from neglect. Makeshift structures and debris further complicated search and rescue efforts.
Lebogang Maile, the official responsible for housing in the province, acknowledged the chronic housing crisis in the region, with a staggering 1.2 million people in search of homes.
When questioned about accountability for the tragedy, Johannesburg’s Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, addressed the issue of cartels overtaking buildings throughout the city.
In the aftermath of the fire, many South Africans on social media have decried xenophobic attacks against the victims and survivors of the incident.
More to follow
