Joburg building fire death toll rises to 77

JOHANNESBURG - The death toll in the Johannesburg building fire has risen to 77.

It comes as families demand the release of bodies for burials.

At least nine families have identified their loved ones, while over 60 are burnt beyond recognition.

READ: Joburg Fire | Families await painstaking identification process underway

Gauteng Health is hoping to complete post-mortems on 74 bodies -- 58 were finished by Saturday night, with 16 left to be concluded on Sunday.

Clergy and psychologists are offering counselling to families on site at the Diepkloof mortuary.

Meanwhile, 31 injured victims are still in hospital with five in semi-critical care.