An inquiry into a building fire in South Africa that killed 76 finds city authorities responsible
Time:2024-05-19 17:17:59 Source:politicsViews(143)
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A report into a building fire that killed 76 people in South Africa last year has concluded that city authorities should be held responsible because they were aware of serious safety issues at the rundown apartment block at least four years before the blaze.
The nighttime fire at the five-story building in downtown Johannesburg on Aug. 31 was one of South Africa’s worst disasters. At least 12 children were among the dead and another 86 people were injured, with some having to leap out of windows to escape the flames.
Others said they threw small children out the windows in the hope that they would be caught by people below. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition having become trapped in the overcrowded building and it took authorities weeks to identify bodies using DNA tests.
Retired Judge Sisi Khampepe was put in charge of the inquiry, which began in October. She delivered the first part of her report on Sunday and concluded that the City of Johannesburg, which owns the building, had shown “total disregard” for its “calamitous state.”
Previous:Christopher Morel hits RBI single in the 9th to give Cubs a 1
Next:Israel intensifies offensive in Gaza, strikes 120 sites: army
You may also like
- Oleksandr Usyk beats Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champ
- Orioles send former No. 1 pick Jackson Holliday back to minors after he hit .059 in 10 MLB games
- Hackers claim to have infiltrated Belarus' main security service
- Kansas won't have legal medical pot, expand Medicaid for at least a year
- I'm a luxury hotel manager
- Tech billionaire Ankur Jain and his fitness trainer fiancée kick off jaw
- Dermot Mulroney reveals he didn't work for a YEAR after My Best Friend's Wedding
- Braunwyn Windham
- Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton