2023-08-31 19:50:01
(AFP, Johannesburg, 31st) A fire broke out late at night in a five-storey building occupied by illegal housing in the center of Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. Authorities said today that a total of 74 people were killed, including 12 children. , and another 61 injured were sent to hospital for treatment.
The incident is one of the deadliest fires in recent years globally. Officials said piles of bodies were found in front of a security door of the building, which prevented people from escaping because the door might not be opened.
Thembalethu Mpahlaza, head of the Gauteng Forensics Unit where Johannesburg is located, said that a total of 74 remains were found at the scene, of which 24 were women, 40 were men, and 10 might not be found due to burnt. identify.
“Twelve children were also involved in this tragedy,” he told a news conference.
The municipality-owned and listed building is located in a crime-ridden ghetto.
Johannesburg city authorities said the building was abandoned and turned into illegal housing. A resident said that most of the people living inside are foreigners.
Kenny Bupe, a 28-year-old survivor, was trapped in the fire scene while visiting friends. “I’m thankful I survived, a lot of people were running, trying to find fire exits, a lot of people ended up dying from smoke inhalation,” he said.
Bupe told AFP that he and a group of people managed to break through a locked fire door and escaped safely from the building, while others chose to escape by jumping out of windows.
Evacuation blankets and sheets hung outside the charred windows following the fire was extinguished.
Witnesses also said parents threw babies into the street in the hope that they would live. Mac Katlego, 25, a resident across the street, said: “Someone picked up these babies, and someone (helped them) put the mattress on.”
In the evening, rescuers concluded the search and rescue operation, and then handed over the scene to the police.
74 dead, 61 injured in building fire in Johannesburg, South Africa
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