“62 burnt beyond recognition,” say officials as they scramble to identify victims of deadly blaze

Pathologists say 62 bodies have been burnt beyond recognition among the 76 victims of the Joburg CBD fire.

This means only 12 of the deceased are identifiable.

Earlier today, victims’ families gathered at the Diepkloof mortuary where some of the victims’ bodies had been taken in the hopes of identifying their loved ones.

Pathologist, Thembalethu Mpahlaza, has urged more family members to come forward, as their DNA will prove vital in identifying the bodies.

The death toll in the deadly blaze rose to 76 today, after two more victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says the difficult task now is the identification of the bodies.

The Gauteng Government is, meanwhile, urging the families of victims of the deadly fire to come forward and identify their loved ones irrespective of their immigration status.

According to initial reports, most of the deceased in the tragedy were foreign nationals.

Gauteng Health Spokesperson, Motaletale Modiba, elaborates in the audio clip below.