Over 70 people have died when a five-story building in South Africa is consumed by fire.

On Thursday, a conflagration occurred in a five-story building in central Johannesburg, resulting in the tragic loss of over 70 lives, including those of children.

On Thursday, the South African emergency services made a public announcement regarding the incident, highlighting that a further 52 individuals sustained injuries. This event has the potential to be classified as one of the most fatal fires globally in recent times.

According to an authoritative source, it has been reported that a number of deceased individuals were found in an accumulated state at a secured entrance, so impeding the egress of individuals during the conflagration.

According to municipal authorities, structures within a socioeconomically disadvantaged and high-crime locality have been converted into unauthorized residential units subsequent to their abandonment.

Accordingly, one local asserted that the majority of those residing in the area were of foreign origin.