Volkswacht Bodensee - Building fire in S.Africa kills 52

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	0.18%	21.99	$
VOD	1.06%	13.15	$
CMSD	-0.14%	22.15	$
NGG	3.22%	82.85	$
GSK	4.4%	53.66	$
RIO	1.13%	94.42	$
AZN	5.79%	195.15	$
BCE	1.87%	21.42	$
RYCEF	2.74%	19.68	$
BTI	1.96%	61.77	$
RBGPF	3.73%	68.15	$
BCC	0.59%	75.93	$
JRI	0.46%	13	$
RELX	1.72%	31.93	$
BP	3.34%	37.4	$

Building fire in S.Africa kills 52 / Photo: © AFP

Building fire in S.Africa kills 52

BOULEVARD 31.08.2023

More than 50 people have died in a fire that engulfed a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city's emergency services said.

Text size:

Dozens of others were injured, some suffering from smoke inhalation, and were taken for treatment at local hospitals, Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.

"We're on 52 bodies, which we have recovered and also 43 people who sustained minor injuries," Mulaudzi told local broadcaster ENCA.

Firefighters who were called to the scene put out the flames and search and recovery operations were ongoing.

"We are moving floor by floor conducting these body recoveries," Mulaudzi said, adding the death toll was expected to rise.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, which broke out overnight.

The building, which has been evacuated, is located in a deprived area of what used to be the business district of South Africa's economic hub, and was used as an informal settlement, Mulaudzi said.

Television footage showed fire trucks and ambulances outside the red and white building with burned-out windows, which had been cordoned off by police.

M.Furrer--BTB

Volkswacht Bodensee - Building fire in S.Africa kills 52

Building fire in S.Africa kills 52

Featured

Projected 'super typhoon' heads for US Pacific islands

Hunt for last signs of life in Venezuela quake zone

Man dies after setting self ablaze outside UN in New York: police

Death toll hits 10 in Thai monk procession crash