- Johannesburg fire claims 74 lives, highlighting a pressing inner-city housing crisis in South Africa.
- More than 200 occupants, including families in the basement, faced the devastating inferno.
- Some residents resorted to leaping from windows, which tragically included 12 children.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the devastating Johannesburg fire, which claimed the lives of 74 individuals, as a poignant wake-up call. He stressed the urgent need to address the inner-city housing crisis.
In a heartfelt statement, President Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences, recognizing the immense tragedy endured by the families affected by this horrific incident. More than 200 people were residing in the building that was engulfed in flames, prompting extensive search efforts by sniffer dogs.
Witnesses revealed that families were living in the building’s basement, originally designed for parking. Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda disclosed that 141 families were impacted by the tragedy, although an exact count of the occupants at the time of the fire remains uncertain.
Amidst the chaos, some residents trapped within a labyrinth of shacks and makeshift structures inside the building. Resorted to desperate measures, including leaping from windows to escape the inferno. This tragic event ranks as one of the deadliest in South Africa’s history, with the devastating toll including 12 children.
The Johannesburg blaze serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address the inner-city housing crisis. An issue of paramount importance for the South African government and society at large.