News

Building Fire In South Africa Kills More Than 70

Published

4 weeks ago

August 31, 2023

Editor

A fire that engulfed a five-storey building killed more than 70 people including children in central Johannesburg on Thursday, the South African city’s emergency services said.

Another 52 were injured, some suffering from smoke inhalation, and were taken for treatment at local hospitals, Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.

“We have now 73 fatalities and 52 people injured who were transported to various healthcare facilities for further medical care,” Mulaudzi said.

At least seven children were among those killed by the flames, in what is on track to become one of the deadliest fires worldwide in recent years.

The youngest victim was less than two years old, he said. Some were left burned beyond recognition.

Firefighters at the scene have put out the flames and are “busy with damping down”, while search and recovery operations are ongoing, Mulaudzi said.

“We are moving floor by floor conducting these body recoveries,” he told local broadcaster ENCA.

An AFP reporter at the scene said emergency services were continuing to bring charred bodies out of the building, laying them down under blankets and sheets on the street outside.

“It is indeed a sad day for the city of Johannesburg… over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,” Mulaudzi said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, which broke out overnight.

Mgcini Tshwaku, a member of the city’s mayoral committee in charge of public safety, said candles used for lighting inside the structure were a likely cause.

The building, which has been evacuated, is located in a deprived area of what used to be the business district of South Africa’s economic hub and was used as an informal settlement, Mulaudzi said, suggesting many may have been squatting there illegally.

“Inside the building itself there was a (security) gate which was closed so people couldn’t get out,” said Tshwaku.

“Many burned bodies were found stashed at that gate.”

Fire trucks and ambulances were parked outside the red and white building with burned-out windows which has been cordoned off by police, as a small crowd of onlookers gathered in the area.

Illegal occupation of disused buildings in the city centre is widespread, with many said to be under the control of criminal syndicates who collect rent from occupants.

Authorities estimated more than “80 shacks” were set up inside.

“The fire spread very quickly affecting different levels of the building because of the combustible materials used,” said Mulaudzi.

The blaze was the deadliest in South Africa in recent years and one of the worst worldwide.

In December last year, a fuel tanker blast near Johannesburg killed 34 people, while in June, flames ripped through a dilapidated building in the city and killed two children under 10 who were locked in an apartment.

AFP

Advertisements

News

OAU Reviews Tuition Fees

Published

4 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Editor

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has reviewed the school fees payable by the students of the university.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, obtained in Osogbo on Monday stated that the management reduced the fees after a meeting held with the students.

Olanrewaju had said that the Students Union leaders were adamant, insisting that the fees should be reduced by 50%.

He added that the university management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the university require to run efficiently.

Advertisements

News

Hope Rises As Edo, FG Inspect Benin-Abraka Road

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Editor

The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh; the Edo State Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Engr. Ethan Uzamere and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, at the weekend inspected ongoing construction of the Benin-Abraka Road.

Impressed with the level of work done on the road, the delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the development of critical infrastructure to boost economic growth and development.

Momoh said, “The Benin-Abraka Road is one of the roads under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This road was awarded in 2009 and about 15km out of the 88km has been constructed by the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

“Also, I understand that there was an MoU between the State government and NDDC to complete the remaining parts of the road. I have also been told that the State government has awarded 40.5km out of the 88km, which means about 28km is left uncompleted.

“From the work done so far, I am impressed and hope the rest of the road is completed up to Abraka in Delta State so that the people in this area will make use of the road but if it’s not completed up to Abraka the purpose will be defeated.”

He added, “I am happy that the MD of NDDC is here and will take the documents back home to study them and get back to the State government because the project needs to be jointly funded to enable it see the light of the day.”

The Minister, while decrying the poor state of roads across the country, noted, “Looking at the time lines under this present administration, we should be looking at the next two to three years because we have a lot of roads across the Country and Niger Delta is bad. It’s difficult to access Warri through this route. When coming from Akure today, it was difficult to access Akure through Owan and we had to pass through Ore. That shows that the people from Edo North are completely cut off from Benin City.”

He added, “If the only road we manage through Ondo State is no longer accessible, you know Benin-Auchi road has been cut-off and it shows we are in trouble. We will begin to look at this problem. We have a listening President who will look at this because he is ready to bring development to every part of Nigeria and we believe that by the time we present the report of our findings, these problems will be attended to.”

On his part, Uzamere, while noting the importance of the inspection, stated, “This kind of visit is necessary because, the issue being looked at. The road is for the development of the people. We are here with the Minister and the MD of NDDC to see what is going on so far.”

Advertisements

News

What I’ll Do If I Were President – Pastor Adeyemi

Published

10 hours ago

September 25, 2023

Editor

The Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, has proposed a weekly practice of addressing constituents if he were in a leadership role as President of Nigeria or the governor of a state.

Adeyemi emphasised the importance of regular communication between leaders and the people and stressed that such addresses could be brief, but they would focus on promoting development and progress.

He said this while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, on Monday.

“If I was the governor or president of Nigeria, I would address the nation every Sunday evening or Monday. It may be five minutes but I will sell the idea of development.

“For too long, we’ve allowed those in power to dictate our path forward. If they are unwilling to instigate change, we must initiate it ourselves, starting at the individual level,” Adeyemi asserted.

While highlighting the power of communication, particularly through social media and modern communication tools, in spreading messages and initiating change, he underlined the need for responsible leadership at all levels and encouraged citizens to take an active role in shaping the future of Nigeria.

Advertisements