During the nighttime hours, a devastating fire engulfed a deteriorated five-story building in Johannesburg, which was occupied by homeless individuals and squatters.

South Africa’s largest city reported at least 73 casualties in the early hours of Thursday, according to emergency services.

Some of the occupants, residing within a complex of shacks and makeshift structures within the abandoned building, resorted to desperate measures to escape the flames, Politico reported.

They jumped out of windows, leading to potential fatalities, as stated by a local government official.

An eyewitness recounted seeing people attempting to rescue infants by tossing them out of the burning structure.

Tragically, at least one individual perished after leaping from a third-floor window, landing headfirst on the concrete pavement.

Witnesses suggested that up to 200 people may have inhabited the building, including its basement, which was intended for use as a parking garage. Some estimates even suggested a higher occupancy rate.

Among the victims were seven children, with the youngest being just 1 year old, as confirmed by an emergency services spokesperson.

Written by staff