A tragic fire has claimed the lives of more than 60 people after it tore through a five-storey building in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday.

The devastating incident has left the city of Johannesburg in mourning and emergency services grappling with the aftermath.

The South African emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, but the fierce flames engulfed the building before it could be contained.

Dozens of individuals were also injured in the blaze, some suffering from smoke inhalation. These injured individuals have been transported to local hospitals for immediate treatment.

Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi conveyed the gravity of the situation, saying, “We’re on 52 bodies, which we have recovered and also 43 people who sustained minor injuries.”

The recovery and rescue operation is ongoing, with firefighters working diligently to extinguish the flames and search for survivors.

Mulaudzi elaborated on the ongoing efforts, revealing, “We are moving floor by floor conducting these body recoveries.”

However, the situation remains dire, and the death toll is anticipated to rise as search and recovery operations continue.