South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday (September 2) urged authorities to enforce laws strictly preventing city residents from unlawfully occupying apartment blocks without violating their rights.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday (September 2) urged authorities to enforce laws strictly preventing city residents from unlawfully occupying apartment blocks without violating their rights. "Local government has to enforce the laws," Ramaphosa said at a governing African National Congress party event, the news agency Reuters reported. Ramaphosa's remarks came two days after more than 70 people died in a fire in a Johannesburg building that was occupied illegally. The five-storey building was owned by municipal authorities, but officials said it was "invaded and hijacked" by unknown groups. Investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze which is considered one of the worst disasters in South Africa. "This has given us a wake-up call, and I have said that our cities and municipalities must now pay attention to how people live. We do encourage people to live in the inner city ...but we need to do it in accordance with our laws," Ramaphosa said during Saturday's event. 'Some fire victims might have been extorted by criminal gangs' Government officials said that some of the victims of the Johannesburg building fire may have been renting from, or were being extorted by, criminal gangs in the so-called "hijacked buildings" syndicates. Meanwhile, municipal officials said that efforts to evict residents in illegally occupied buildings have been often hamstrung by court orders stopping the evictions. Reuters further reported that many such buildings have become dilapidated centres of drug trafficking and other lawlessness. Fires break out as residents rely on illegal electricity connections, gas burners, and candles. Sniffer dogs search for clues On Friday, police with sniffer dogs searched through the gutted remains of the building to look for clues. Most of the bodies of the victims were burned beyond recognition and investigators would have to rely on DNA samples from relatives to identify them, Thembalethu Mpahlaza, from Gauteng province's Forensic Pathology Services, told Reuters. Authorities urged those displaced by the fire to leave and overnight provided buses to take them to a homeless shelter. However, many chose to stay, hoping to save what was left of their belongings. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Johannesburg fire: President Ramaphosa urges strict enforcement of laws over 'hijacked' buildings

South African firefighters launched a fresh search for victims as they went inside the five-storey building in Johannesburg, which was engulfed in fire, killing 74 people, including 12 children. The officials have said that they might find more bodies and they want to be sure that no one has been left behind.&nbsp;

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the incident and called it a "tragedy" as reports emerged that bodies were discovered piled up at a security gate that was closed, preventing people from escaping the blaze.&nbsp;

Thembalethu Mpahlaza, who is the head of forensics services in Johannesburg's Gauteng province, said a total of 74 bodies were recovered, 24 female, 40 male and 10 "burnt beyond recognition".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-man-driving-huge-bull-in-passenger-seat-pulled-over-by-police-631269">Man driving huge bull in passenger seat pulled over by police</a>&nbsp;

During the press conference, he further said that "we are having 12 children involved also in this tragedy". More than 60 people have been injured and received hospital treatment in what was one of the deadliest fires worldwide in recent years.&nbsp;

Now, police with sniffer dogs have been deployed to search through the remains of a Johannesburg apartment block. Authorities are also probing the cause of the fire. The area around the building was cordoned off areas by the officers.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-king-cuts-ousted-former-pm-thaksins-jail-term-to-one-year-631265">Thailand's king cuts ousted former PM Thaksin's jail term to one year</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Survivors tell horrific tale&nbsp;</h2>

Kenny Bupe, a survivor caught up in the blaze while visiting a friend, told the news agency AFP: "I'm grateful to be alive, there was a lot of us running, trying to find the fire exit and a lot of people eventually died because of the smoke inhalation."&nbsp;

While others "jumped out" of windows, he was part of a group that was able to pry through a closed fire escape gate and flee to safety. After the fire was extinguished, sheets and blankets used for escape were draped from the destroyed windows.&nbsp;

Block resident Wambali Kaunda, who lost his brother and niece in the fire, told Reuters: "I am devastated. We have been told that if you are able to identify your family members, then you will be able to collect the bodies." He said he was on the first floor not far from the exit when the fire broke out, so managed to escape.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Schools and colleges to shut over collapse fears&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-schools-and-colleges-to-shut-over-collapse-fears-631169/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In Johannesburg, such home fires are quite common, particularly in impoverished neighbourhoods, the tragedy has brought attention to a housing issue in one of the most unequal cities in the world with a high unemployment rate.

Municipal authorities own the apartment building, but they have had difficulty identifying the residents, claiming that the building has been "invaded and hijacked" by unidentified organizations.

According to a province official, some of those who perished may have been tenants of or victims of extortion by criminal gangs operating in the so-called "hijacked buildings" syndicates.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

South African firefighters launched a fresh search for victims as they went inside the five-storey building in Johannesburg, which was engulfed in fire, killing 74 people, including 12 children.

South African firefighters launched a fresh search for victims as they went inside the five-storey building in Johannesburg, which was engulfed in fire, killing 74 people, including 12 children. The officials have said that they might find more bodies and they want to be sure that no one has been left behind. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the incident and called it a "tragedy" as reports emerged that bodies were discovered piled up at a security gate that was closed, preventing people from escaping the blaze. Thembalethu Mpahlaza, who is the head of forensics services in Johannesburg's Gauteng province, said a total of 74 bodies were recovered, 24 female, 40 male and 10 "burnt beyond recognition". Also read: Man driving huge bull in passenger seat pulled over by police During the press conference, he further said that "we are having 12 children involved also in this tragedy". More than 60 people have been injured and received hospital treatment in what was one of the deadliest fires worldwide in recent years. Now, police with sniffer dogs have been deployed to search through the remains of a Johannesburg apartment block. Authorities are also probing the cause of the fire. The area around the building was cordoned off areas by the officers. Also read: Thailand's king cuts ousted former PM Thaksin's jail term to one year Survivors tell horrific tale Kenny Bupe, a survivor caught up in the blaze while visiting a friend, told the news agency AFP: "I'm grateful to be alive, there was a lot of us running, trying to find the fire exit and a lot of people eventually died because of the smoke inhalation." While others "jumped out" of windows, he was part of a group that was able to pry through a closed fire escape gate and flee to safety. After the fire was extinguished, sheets and blankets used for escape were draped from the destroyed windows. Block resident Wambali Kaunda, who lost his brother and niece in the fire, told Reuters: "I am devastated. We have been told that if you are able to identify your family members, then you will be able to collect the bodies." He said he was on the first floor not far from the exit when the fire broke out, so managed to escape. Watch: Schools and colleges to shut over collapse fears × In Johannesburg, such home fires are quite common, particularly in impoverished neighbourhoods, the tragedy has brought attention to a housing issue in one of the most unequal cities in the world with a high unemployment rate. Municipal authorities own the apartment building, but they have had difficulty identifying the residents, claiming that the building has been "invaded and hijacked" by unidentified organizations. According to a province official, some of those who perished may have been tenants of or victims of extortion by criminal gangs operating in the so-called "hijacked buildings" syndicates. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Johannesburg fire: Firefighters and sniffer dogs search for victims, clues in ashes

At least 73 people died and 43 others were injured after a fire broke out in a&nbsp;rundown five-storey building that was occupied by homeless people and squatters&nbsp;in Johannesburg&nbsp;on Thursday (August 31). According to&nbsp;Emergency Management spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, the blaze started early Thursday.&nbsp;Mulaudzi said it was not yet clear what caused the blaze. 
 
Seven of the victims were children, with the youngest being just one-year-old, said an emergency services spokesperson.

As many as 200 people were likely to have been living in the building, said witnesses.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and put out the flames. The building had been evacuated and search and recovery operations were ongoing. Television footage showed fire trucks and ambulances outside the red and white building with burned-out windows, which has been cordoned off by police. 
 
“The death toll may increase. The fire took three hours to contain.&nbsp;This is a tragedy for Johannesburg. Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,” Mulaudzi said.

<h2>Those inside building occupied it illegally</h2>

According to a report by the news agency Reuters,&nbsp;municipal&nbsp;government speaker Colleen Makhubele implied those inside had been occupying it illegally, and that the city had sought but often failed to evict squatters from such buildings.&nbsp;

<img alt="People walk past the 5-storey building after a deadly blaze on August 31, 2023." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f5d79673-1d14-404e-bd1e-73111fb093aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2023-08-31T061025Z_2_LYNXMPEJ7U06N_RTROPTP_4_JOHANNESBURG-FIRE.JPG" />

Photograph:&nbsp;People walk past the 5-storey building after a deadly blaze on August 31, 2023.

They had been to blame for "not heeding to the call of the city to do the right thing..., Makhubele told the country's public broadcaster.&nbsp;"Things like this happen ... because the citizens are not willing to understand and work with us in upholding the laws and the bylaws of the city, in understanding what is safe, what is not safe," she added.

Fires are common in Johannesburg as it suffers from chronic power outages&nbsp;which cause people to&nbsp;resort to candles for light and wood fires for heat.

<img alt="Firefighters work at the scene of a deadly blaze in Johannesburg." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9025f372-0210-43ca-a035-c15b4f221636" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2023-08-31T061025Z_2_LYNXMPEJ7U06L_RTROPTP_4_JOHANNESBURG-FIRE.JPG" />

Photograph:&nbsp;Firefighters work at the scene of a deadly blaze in Johannesburg.

As per a report by BBC on Thursday, a&nbsp;firefighter told local media that many victims were likely trapped&nbsp;by combustible shack-like structures that had been erected in the building.&nbsp;

In the wake of this tragedy, many citizens on social media condemned&nbsp;the online xenophobic attacks that some have made against the victims and survivors of the fire, BBC reported.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

At least 73 people died and 43 others were injured after a fire broke out in a rundown five-storey building that was occupied by homeless people and squatters in Johannesburg on Thursday (August 31).

At least 73 people died and 43 others were injured after a fire broke out in a rundown five-storey building that was occupied by homeless people and squatters in Johannesburg on Thursday (August 31). According to Emergency Management spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, the blaze started early Thursday. Mulaudzi said it was not yet clear what caused the blaze. Seven of the victims were children, with the youngest being just one-year-old, said an emergency services spokesperson. As many as 200 people were likely to have been living in the building, said witnesses. Firefighters arrived at the scene and put out the flames. The building had been evacuated and search and recovery operations were ongoing. Television footage showed fire trucks and ambulances outside the red and white building with burned-out windows, which has been cordoned off by police. “The death toll may increase. The fire took three hours to contain. This is a tragedy for Johannesburg. Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,” Mulaudzi said. Those inside building occupied it illegally According to a report by the news agency Reuters, municipal government speaker Colleen Makhubele implied those inside had been occupying it illegally, and that the city had sought but often failed to evict squatters from such buildings. Photograph: People walk past the 5-storey building after a deadly blaze on August 31, 2023. They had been to blame for "not heeding to the call of the city to do the right thing..., Makhubele told the country's public broadcaster. "Things like this happen ... because the citizens are not willing to understand and work with us in upholding the laws and the bylaws of the city, in understanding what is safe, what is not safe," she added. Fires are common in Johannesburg as it suffers from chronic power outages which cause people to resort to candles for light and wood fires for heat. Photograph: Firefighters work at the scene of a deadly blaze in Johannesburg. As per a report by BBC on Thursday, a firefighter told local media that many victims were likely trapped by combustible shack-like structures that had been erected in the building. In the wake of this tragedy, many citizens on social media condemned the online xenophobic attacks that some have made against the victims and survivors of the fire, BBC reported. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Johannesburg: Fire kills at least 73 in five-storey building occupied by homeless, squatters

johannesburg-fire

Johannesburg Fire, News on Johannesburg Fire, stories on Johannesburg Fire, articles on Johannesburg Fire, Johannesburg Fire stories at Wion, Johannesburg Fire news, Johannesburg Fire latest news

johannesburg fire

Johannesburg fire: President Ramaphosa urges strict enforcement of laws over 'hijacked' buildings

Johannesburg fire: Firefighters and sniffer dogs search for victims, clues in ashes

Johannesburg: Fire kills at least 73 in five-storey building occupied by homeless, squatters