By Ebi Kesiena
Witnesses and emergency services in South Africa’s biggest city, Johannesburg, have battled all day to rescue victims as a nighttime fire ripped through a rundown apartment building on Thursday.
Such building mainly occupied by homeless people are squatters in Johannesburg.
According to an emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, the number of victims was hitting at least 73 people as residents were forced to throw babies out of third-story windows in a desperate attempt to save them.
The cause of fire remains unknown as many residents were caught unaware.
After intense efforts, authorities have confirmed that the fire has been successfully extinguished, but the aftermath remains fraught with pain and tragedy.
The spokesperson for the city’s emergency services disclosed that quite a lot of individuals sustained injuries in addition to the lives lost.
Eyewitness videos captured the horrifying moment when fierce orange flames engulfed the lower levels of the building. Onlookers outside witnessed the catastrophe unfold, as scores of people gathered in disbelief.
The building in question was one of the many “hijacked” structures scattered throughout downtown Johannesburg. These buildings, abandoned by landlords and overtaken by various groups, often serve as shelter for migrants and financially disadvantaged South Africans, who find themselves unable to access conventional housing options.
The incident has cast a dark shadow over Johannesburg, leaving a community in mourning and prompting renewed conversations about safety measures and housing provisions for vulnerable populations. As the city grapples with the aftermath, questions about prevention, preparedness, and support for the affected families take center stage.
