At least 50 people have died in a fire that broke out in a high-rise building in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, emergency services said, as quoted by Reuters.

43 were injured in the fire, which broke out before dawn.

A search operation is underway for survivors, with firefighters believing more people may be trapped inside.

Authorities said the fire was largely out, but smoke was still billowing from the windows of the blackened downtown building.

According to them, the building is actually an "informal settlement" where homeless people have moved in looking for shelter without any formal leases.

According to eyewitnesses, around 200 people may have lived in the building.

Follow Novinite.com on Twitter and Facebook

Write to us at editors@novinite.com

Информирайте се на Български - Novinite.bg

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!