Fire at 5-storey building in South Africa, at least 73 people died

On August 31, the Johannesburg Emergency Management Agency (South Africa) announced that the number of victims killed in the fire at a 5-storey building in the city center had reached 73 people.

Robert Mulaudzi, spokesman for the Johannesburg Emergency Services, warned that the death toll could rise as more people were believed to be trapped inside. The fire also injured 52 others, some of whom suffered from smoke inhalation. The injured were taken to hospital.

"Today is truly a sad day for the city of Johannesburg. In over 20 years of service, I have never encountered anything like this," Mr Mulaudzi said.

CNN quoted an announcement from the Johannesburg City Emergency Management Agency confirming that the fire was reported at around 1:30 a.m. on August 31 (local time).

World - Fire in 5-story building in South Africa, at least 73 people died — Scene of a fire in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Reuters

Images from the scene show the fire spreading from the lower floors of the building. There are "obstacles" everywhere, making evacuation difficult. Firefighters are currently going from floor to floor, and so far they have only checked three of the five floors.

Some people inside when the fire broke out had to jump out of windows to escape and may have fallen to their deaths. Seven of the victims were children, the youngest only 1 year old.

The building in the central business district has been described as an “informal settlement” where homeless people were housed. According to witnesses, at least 200 people may have lived in the building.

World - Fire at 5-story building in South Africa, at least 73 people died (Photo 2). — A woman collapsed near the scene. Photo: Reuters

Those searching for loved ones have been warned that the chances of finding anyone alive are "very slim".

Illegal occupation of abandoned buildings in downtown Johannesburg is not uncommon in South Africa. Many are believed to be controlled by criminal syndicates, who rent them out to illegal occupants and collect money.

In addition, the Guardian newspaper quoted information from local news channel Times Live saying that this was the fourth abandoned old building to catch fire in recent months.

World - Fire at 5-story building in South Africa, at least 73 people died (Photo 3). — Firefighters and ambulance crews on duty at the scene of the fire on the morning of August 31. Photo: AFP

Currently, rescue forces are trying to put out the fire and search for survivors.

Local authorities have blocked off several roads in the area to allow vehicles and firefighters to move, while residents of surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

Local authorities said that after three hours, the fire was mostly extinguished but smoke was still billowing from the charred windows of the building.

The cause of the building fire is still unknown, but there are signs that people lit a fire inside the building to keep warm.

Minh Hoa (reported by Tuoi Tre, Vietnam+, VTV)

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