Johannesburg Emergency Management Services say death toll may rise as search and recovery continues at gutted building.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the blaze on Thursday morning had gutted the building located in the city’s central business district, and the death toll had jumped from an initial 10 people confirmed dead to 18 fatalities with 43 injured.
“The number might still increase as search and recovery continues,” Mulaudzi said in a post on social media.
The injured are receiving treatment at “various health care facilities”, Mulaudzi said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, according to South Africa’s News24 online news site.
Latest update is now 18 fatalities and 43 injured search and recovery continues
— Cojems Spokesperson (@RobertMulaudzi) August 31, 2023
More to follow.