South africa news today johannesburg

Following Johannesburg's deadly fire, families have been trying to identify loved ones. Seventy four people died in the blaze, including 12 children - one of whom was an month-old child. One survivor tells of his escape, another says she was powerless with her children trapped inside. At least 74 people died in the blaze in the city centre building.

Officials say it is unclear what sparked the blaze at the five-storey building in the city centre. Skip to content. Girlfriend of alleged child porn kingpin arrested in Houghton News24 3d. US 3d. Watch Joburg's traffic lights crisis: Not even the mayor is immune News24 4d. Witness shot dead at Joburg court where he was due to testify in murder trial IOL 5d.

About our Johannesburg news Latest news on Johannesburg, providing comprehensive coverage of South Africa's largest city, including updates on business, crime, politics, entertainment, and more. Africa Africa. South Africa South Africa. Cape Town Cape Town. Jacob Zuma Jacob Zuma. Crime Crime. Durban Durban. Economy Economy. Elections Elections.

Eskom Eskom. Floods Floods. Immigration Immigration. Johannesburg Johannesburg. So, 73 died on site, 74 have died in total. They are busy registering the bodies at the moment, and intend to process them and make them ready to be viewed as early as tomorrow morning. Several other unidentified body parts were also found. A representative of the emergency services says 73 bodies found in the building, but authorities are combing through the building from the basement up to the 5th floor to search for more.

The team is accompanied by a structural engineer as they search, given the damage to the building. Brink is now speaking about the "hijacking" of the building concerned. In October it was raided and a number of foreign nationals were arrested and charged for illegally collecting rent from tenants, he says.

South africa news today johannesburg

Floyd Brink says the city appreciates help from the private sector - including NGOs and other private buildings - to deal with the disaster and to support with its aftermath. He says "we will do our best to act diligently" in investigating the fire, and to regain control of illegally occupied buildings in the city. Specific plans to counter the "lawlessness" in Johannesburg will be announced later, he concludes.

Brink says all efforts are being undertaken to provide and social and psychological support to all those affected. He says the city has identified three sites to offer alternative accommodation, and that around families were affected by the fire. Brink adds that the affected building does belong to the city of Johannesburg, and it was initially leased to a different department to be used as a shelter for a abused women.

Firefighters were first alerted to the fire at am, and the first responders were on site 10 minutes later, City Manager Floyd Brink says. A number of emergency resources, including two fire engines and 43 firefighters were deployed soon after, he says. As of 2pm today, he said, 61 people have been treated in hospitals around Johannesburg.

He says 73 people have died - 66 adults and 7 children. The mayor adds that it the government must take measures to "ensure that we do not experience the same situation again". The series of tragedies and disasters in Johannesburg "ends today", he says. A lot of households are anticipating answers to certain questions, he says, before handing over to the other officials.

Gwamanda speaks of his sadness at seeing the city this morning. He says it is hard to witness the tragedy of people having lost their lives in such large numbers. He introduces the team running the preliminary investigation into the situation. All levels of government will be involved in the response, Gwamanda says. Johannesburg's mayor Kabelo Gwamanda begins by extending his condolences to the families of those who died.

He says local executives "truly understand the gravity of the situation that has befallen our city". The emergency services news conference we've been expecting still appears to be delayed. When it starts we will bring you the latest news from it. You'll also be able to watch it at the top of this page by pressing the Play icon. While we wait for the emergency services news conference here are some photos taken by African Christian Democratic Party Councillor Norman Mkhonza.