A devastating fire tore through a five-story building in central Johannesburg, resulting in a tragic loss of over 70 lives and leaving more than 40 individuals injured, according to the city’s emergency services.

Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for Emergency Management Services, disclosed that several injured individuals had experienced smoke inhalation. They were swiftly transported to local hospitals for treatment. The initial death count of 52 escalated to 73, while South African broadcaster ENCA reported that 43 people are presently under medical care in different healthcare establishments.

The cause behind the fire, which ignited overnight, remains unclear. Firefighters rapidly responded to the scene, extinguishing the flames and initiating search and recovery operations in the aftermath, as reported by AFP.

Mulaudzi emphasized that recovery efforts were being conducted meticulously, with teams systematically searching each floor for victims. Unfortunately, authorities anticipate a further increase in the death toll as the operation continues.

The building in question, which authorities evacuated, resided in a once-vibrant business district. This area has since transformed into a disadvantaged community, underlining the harsh living conditions that specific regional populations endure. Furthermore, the building had been repurposed as an informal settlement.

Television cameras recorded the somber spectacle outside the building, where fire trucks, ambulances, and emergency personnel labored relentlessly. The intense efforts of these responders were evident. The building’s windows bore the marks of the inferno, their surfaces charred by the flames. This haunting image served as a powerful and poignant visual representation of the heart-wrenching tragedy.

During this heart-wrenching time, our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and their families who have been impacted by this devastating incident.