By: Natasha Archary

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has confirmed that families may now identify the bodies of loved ones, on Friday, 01 September, following the JHB CBD fire.
Seventy-four people lost their lives in the Johannesburg inner city fire on Thursday, 31 August. This includes 40 males, 24 females, and 10 whose bodies remain undetermined as they have been burned beyond recognition.
The number of deceased includes 12 children, who died in the fire that broke out at an illegally occupied building in Marshalltown.
GDoH is advising the families of victims to visit the Diepkloof mortuary to identify their loved ones from Friday.
Apart from the 74 bodies that were recovered from the building, GDoH says there were also 4 body parts that were discovered on the scene.
“A family member or relative who wishes to identify their loved one should have their original Identity Document (ID), ID of the deceased or birth certificate if the deceased is a child.If the deceased is a foreign national, a passport, asylum seeker certificate or a letter from country of origin confirming who the deceased is and to whom the remains should be handed over to is needed.
The Diepkloof FPS is located at 2 Collinder Road Berthsam, Diepkloof, Soweto.
Identification of the deceased bodies at the Diepkloof FPS will take place on Friday. The facility will also open on Saturday and Sunday from 09h00 and 15h00. Counselling services will be offered to the bereaved families.
The Gauteng FPS will use the Digital Fingerprint System to identify unknown bodies who have visible fingerprints. The system uses biometric scanners and third-party access to the databases of Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Service and National Credit Bureau to identify deceased bodies.”
The Department says bodies that have been burnt beyond recognition, and without visible fingerprints will be identified through DNA process.
A further 61 people have been admitted to Gauteng hospitals for treatment following the fire. Sixteen of these patients have since been discharged, 17 were admitted, and the others are still being treated.
MEDIA STATEMENT || FAMILIES CAN NOW IDENTIFY THEIR DECEASED LOVED ONES FOLLOWING THE JOHANNESBURG INNERT CITY FIRE pic.twitter.com/frh3jhjP01
— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) September 1, 2023
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