7 kids among 73 killed in Joburg blaze
Seven children are among the 73 people who lost their lives in Thursday morning's horrific fire at a hijacked building in the Joburg CBD.
The youngest victim was under two years old.
The city's emergency services say another 43 people were injured. Some suffered from smoke inhalation as they escaped the flames and have been taken for treatment at local hospitals.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and search and recovery operations were underway by mid-morning.
READ: Joburg CBD fire causalities 'might increase' - EMS
Gauteng's Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development MEC Lebogang Maile says they've found alternative accommodation for the survivors.
"We have already identified three buildings that the surviving victims would be allocated to, and we have agreed that we are not going to deal with people on the basis of their nationality.
"At this point, anybody who is affected, we are going to give humanitarian assistance, so that question must not arise."
There will be a press briefing later this afternoon with comprehensive feedback from the City #JoburgCBDFire #JoburgUpdates #JoburgCBD #JoburgEMS ^NJ pic.twitter.com/xCVu7lG7k0
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 31, 2023
