In addition to them, more than 40 others have been injured.

The cause of the blaze at the five-storey building in Johannesburg’s central business district is unclear.

Firefighters managed to free some of the occupants, according to a spokesman for the emergency services, Robert Mulaudzi.

Searches are ongoing for other victims after the fire gutted the building.

Mr Mulaudzi posted a video to the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing fire trucks and ambulances outside the burned out building.

Near the burned building, covered bodies were seen lined up.