South African authorities have announced that the death toll from a fire that broke out in a five-storey apartment building in downtown Johannesburg has risen to 73, and 52 others have been injured.
A spokesman for the emergency services in Johannesburg, Robert Mulaudzi: “There are so far 73 dead, and 52 people with minor injuries were taken to local hospitals.”
Dozens were injured, some of them suffering from smoke inhalation, and were taken for treatment in local hospitals, according to Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the emergency services in Johannesburg.
The fire was brought under control and the building was evacuated, while search and rescue operations are still underway.
“We are moving floor by floor to retrieve the bodies,” Mulaudzi said, adding that the death toll is expected to rise.
The cause of the fire that broke out at night is not yet clear.