The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, this Thursday sent a message of condolence to his South African counterpart for the fatal victims of the fire in Johannesburg, while the Portuguese government also expressed regret and solidarity.
“Given the dramatic aftermath of a fire that destroyed a building in a commercial area of Johannesburg yesterday, the President of the Republic sent a message of condolences to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa,” the President of the Republic wrote in a note on the website.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed “condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured”, noting “his solidarity with all the South African people”.
Through the social network X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that “Portugal regrets the loss of life in the fire that occurred in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa.”
The Portuguese government expressed “solidarity with the local authorities and the people of South Africa” and sent “sincere wishes to family and friends”.
South African police have announced an investigation into the cause of a fire that killed at least 73 people this morning at a five-story building in central Johannesburg that was illegally occupied despite being officially abandoned.
Elias Mavela, police commissioner for the province of Gauteng, which surrounds Johannesburg, said the fire originated in an “occupied” building that was believed to be “abandoned” and added that the police “will bring in specialized units to investigate the cause.” fire”. “.
This morning, police updated the death toll from the fire, which started around 01:30 (00:30 GMT), to at least 73, bringing the number of injured to 55.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, according to South African authorities, but Johannesburg Municipality Public Safety Officer Mgchini Tshwaku pointed to “candles” and “illegal connections” to the electricity grid, which are common in the area, as likely causes of the fire.
A community organization in downtown Johannesburg, the Inner City Federation, accused the municipality of Johannesburg of failing to take care of buildings that are unused and in disrepair in the city centre.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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