In the early hours of Thursday morning, a derelict building in the South African metropolis of Johannesburg caught fire, killing at least 74 people, including several children.
“We have now 74 fatalities and 52 people injured who were transported to various healthcare facilities for further medical care,” Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.
A resident of the abandoned five-story building believed that 200 individuals were residing there illegally, many of whom were foreigners.
Residents talked about how tough it was to flee the fire, and those who did so expressed gratitude for their survival.
“It was so difficult for us to get out, others had blocked the corridors with beds, but I managed to get out with my kids, one who is 13 years and the other almost 3. We did inhale quite a lot of smoke, but at least we managed to get out. What is very sad is others died inside,” said resident Nobuhle Zwane.
An official reported that bodies were found heaped up at a security gate that was closed, preventing people from fleeing the fire.
“There was a lot of us running, trying to find the fire exit and a lot of people eventually died because of the smoke inhalation,” said Kenny Bupe, a survivor caught up in the blaze while visiting a friend.
Investigations are continuing to determine what cause the blaze, but one resident said he thought he heard a blast.
“There is something that exploded in the flat that we stay in on the ground floor. I think it’s gas. People were cooking at night, we had no electricity the whole day and night,” said Mthokozi Xaba.
As search and recovery operations continue, officials said the death toll could still rise. The blaze was the deadliest in the country in recent years and one of the worst worldwide.