South Africa: 73 reported killed in fire in Johannesburg

In South Africa, at least 73 people have been killed and more than 50 treated for injuries following a fire at a multistorey building in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, local media and an emergency worker said.Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the blaze on Thursday morning had gutted a building located in the city’s central business district, and the death toll was continuing to rise with 52 bodies now recovered from the site.The injured are receiving treatment at “various health care facilities”, Mulaudzi said.

Latest update is 73 fatalities and 52 injured still continuing with search and recovery operation

— Cojems Spokesperson (@RobertMulaudzi) August 31, 2023

Authorities said the fire has been largely extinguished and search and rescue operation was underway, and it was likely the death toll would rise.