More than 70 killed in building fire in Johannesburg, South Africa



More than 70 people have died and dozens were injured during a nighttime fire in Johannesburg, South Africa. Local officials say about 200 people were living there, including homeless families desperate for housing. NBCโ€™s Kelly Cobiella reports for TODAY.

ยป Subscribe to TODAY: http://on.today.com/SubscribeToTODAY
ยป Watch the latest from TODAY: http://bit.ly/LatestTODAY
About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.

Connect with TODAY Online!
Visit TODAYโ€™s Website: http://on.today.com/ReadTODAY
Find TODAY on Facebook: http://on.today.com/LikeTODAY
Follow TODAY on Twitter: http://on.today.com/FollowTODAY
Follow TODAY on Instagram: http://on.today.com/InstaTODAY

ยป Stream TODAY All Day: https://www.today.com/allday
About: TODAY All Day is a 24/7 streaming channel bringing you the top stories in news and pop culture, celebrity interviews, cooking, and more. All in one place.

#africa #fire #worldnews

source

48 thoughts on “More than 70 killed in building fire in Johannesburg, South Africa”

  1. I feel like I was lied to. I was told that after apartied Nelson Mandela and the ANC were going to lead the country to new heights and it would be a rainbow coallition. Now South Africa is racked by corruption, its the largest decline of a country not invaded by another country and they are setting up shanty towns and lighting fires in buildings. Does anyone else notice a discrepancy between what was promised and what was delivered.

    Reply
  2. Very sad loss of lives, and also a very frustrating situation. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

    Illegal foreigners, usually Nigerians, hijack buildings in the inner city and make tenants pay rent to them instead of the owners. The legal owners and the government have a hard time trying to get the situation fixed, thanks to foreign NGOs that block such attempts through the courts.

    The surprising part is that it has not happened before. And no, winter is over. Tomorrow it is spring day. We are already walking around in short sleeves.

    Reply
  3. They were most likely illegal ppl that have hijacked the building and rented the building out to other illegal immigrants, the gates most likely was locked to prevent them from being evicted. Sorry for the loss of lives, but it it could have been prevented

    Reply
  4. Terrible new to have to absorb, truly horrid. At least our attention to it can wane through the daily challenges of our own lives. Not forgetting tragedies so far from us as much as we just simply no longer remember them, you know what I mean? But as is always true, for those related to the deceased or any affected, it will indeed represent perhaps the greatest challenge to their daily lives moving forward.

    RIP

    Reply
  5. Heartbreaking news. Sending love and strength to the victims, their families during this difficult time. ๐Ÿ™



    Thich Nhat Hanh's Quote — Understanding and Love are not two separate things, but just one. To develop understanding, you have to practice looking at all living beings with the eyes of compassion. When you understand, you cannot help but love. And when you love, you naturally act in a way that can relieve the suffering of people.

    Reply
  6. Look what lovely buildings it is , but they need to be maintained, this is what happened , since the old government disappeared , maintanance disappeared and owners of buildingss disappeared because the government was easy come easy go , freedom for all good luck , freedom for all , this is the problem good governance, Chuck the overtakers out, and lock the places up, and keep security to safe guard, law and orders should be tops, people needs to help the government also, they must not only depends on the government, look out for dangerous situations , talk to the ones doing wrong. Look at the dirty papers laying all over, keep clean, teach children the dangers of ๐Ÿ”ฅ , don't consentrate on apartheid and housing grounds, there's more than enough , but no development taking place, the leadership should stop criticism against each other, work together

    Reply
  7. These building are hijacked and turned into ghettos over night mostly by illegals.
    The occupants refuse to abide with bylaws, modify electric installations and or use dodgy propane appliances called LP gas in South Africa for heating and cooking.
    Authorities tried to have these situations closed down but weren't successful.
    Unfortunately, now the blame game starts .
    The fact that the country is ruled by a Toxic and Corrupt ANC GOVERNMENT does not help all the people.
    I was pleasantly shocked that they have a working fire tender.

    Reply
  8. "We do not necessarily want a black or white government, we want the best government". Ian Smith, Rhodesian Prime Minister (1976)
    Well I am sure the SA government is the worse government.

    Reply
  9. South Africa has been going through some absolutely horrendous things over the past 4 years. I hope it will improve, but sadly, I donโ€™t see that happeningโ€ฆโ€ฆ..

    Reply
  10. was the electric on during the fire? This was not a complicated fire, Proper equipment would save lives. Brics can turn on your electric and keep it onn. All you need is to sign away some minerals. Just like you done before. Prayers for all the lost lives. This is sad negligence.

    Reply
  11. Most cities are in afar worse state than they were back in the 1980's. You can't just have rules.they have to be enforced .That includes health and safety.Don't walk around thsese cities after dark .Not these days.

    Reply
  12. This is because of the indirect, inept, and corrupt actions of the African National Corruption party. Trust me, I live here, and the ANC are nothing more than a bunch of thieving and corrupt communists.

    Reply
  13. The ANC inherited a world class functional country but due to their incompetence and corruption they have destroyed everything. They have been the ruling government for 30 yrs and they still blame apartheid.

    Reply
  14. Sorry to say this but when these people were being evicted for occupying buildings illegally they cried "xenophobia". Now tax payers must pay for burials and relocations, that's not fair.

    Reply
  15. Condolences to the families that lost their love ones. It's a unpleasant situation. A cause of this tragic death was influence and caused by highly effluential groups, SACC, Helen Suzman ,Malema and NGO's they are responsible for causing the hijacking buildings in Johannesburg . It's been planned by Suzman but it happened the other way around when they took Home Affairs to Court refusing deportation of illegal and not extending their stay in our country lllegal ,This three groups must be charged with genocide which turns out to be Sacrifice, Helen Suzman and NGO's, Malema SACC are responsible for causing the death of this many people

    Reply

Leave a Comment