Johannesburg fire: More than 50 killed in South Africa | World News
At least 58 people are dead and another 43 are injured after a huge fire broke out in Johannesburg.
The blaze broke out in a multi-storey building in the major South African city in the early hours of this morning.
It is thought at least one child was killed.
Spokesperson for the emergency services, Robert Mulaudzi, said a rescue operation was under way but warned it is likely the death toll will be higher.
‘Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,’ he added.
Pictures from the scene from overnight show vast numbers of firefighters at the scene and bodies littering the streets.
The fire has been mostly extinguished, but smoke can still be seen seeping out of the windows of the blackened five-storey building.
Mr Mulaudzi explained the search is a challenge because the previously abandoned building is an ‘informal settlement’ where homeless people live without any formal lease agreements.
Witnesses say as many as 200 people may live inside, although the exact number is unknown.
It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze.
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