Firefighters were able to control the flames, but they continue with the search and recovery operations of the bodies.
At least 73 people died for him five-story building firelate at night, in the center of johannesburg, in South Africa, according to the city’s emergency services. The firefighters they were alerted around 01:30 local time.
In addition, due to the accident, other 52 victims were injuredsome affected by the smoke inhalationand were transferred to local hospitals, said the spokesman for the Emergency Management Services, Robert Mulaudzi.
Between the killed by firethere is at least seven childrenand the youngest victim was less than two years old, the spokesman said, in what could be one of the deadliest fires in the world in recent years.
He affected building It is located in an area of what used to be the business district of the economic capital of South Africa, and served as informal residence, the authorities explained that there homeless sleeping indoors.
The causes of the fire
It is not yet known how the fire started.but firefighters consider the use of candles to light the interior of the building as a possible cause of the accident.
The emergency services they withdrew charred bodies of the building and they were laid under sheets in the street. “We are advancing floor by floor to recover the bodies. In more than 20 years of service i never saw anything like this“Mulaudzi explained to local television.
“Inside the building there was a gate that was closed, so people couldn’t get out. Many burned bodies were found piled up there“, explained Mgcini Tshwakua member of the city’s municipal committee in charge of public safety.
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Although in the last hours the flames were controlledthe authorities warned that the dead could rise as the progress body recovery process.
Source: Ambito
