South Africa mourns as 52 perish in destructive building fire

Over 52 individuals have lost their lives, and more than 40 people have received medical attention due to a fire that occurred in a multi-story building situated in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa. Reports from local media and an emergency responder confirm this.

Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, stated that the fire, which took place on a Thursday morning, has extensively damaged a building located in the heart of the city’s central business district. The count of fatalities is still on the rise, as 52 bodies have been retrieved from the site as of now.

In a social media update, Mulaudzi conveyed, “We have retrieved a total of 52 bodies, and 43 individuals are still undergoing search and rescue operations for recovery.”

Those who sustained injuries are currently undergoing treatment at various healthcare facilities, Mulaudzi added.

As of now, the cause behind the fire remains unknown, as reported by South Africa’s News24 online news source.