RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a message of condolences and sympathy to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the victims of a fire that broke out in the business district of Johannesburg, the state-run SPA news agency reported on Saturday. The king said: “We learned of the news of the fire that occurred in the commercial district of the city of Johannesburg, and the deaths and injuries that resulted from it, and as we share with Your Excellency the pain of this tragedy.” He added: “We send to you, to the families of the deceased, and to your friendly people, our warmest condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar message of condolences and sympathy to Ramaphosa on Saturday. Authorities said on Friday that the death toll from Thursday’s predawn blaze — one of South Africa’s deadliest fires — rose to 76, with at least 12 of the victims being children. The number of injured people hospitalized from the fire also increased to 88. The fire ravaged a city-owned building that had effectively been abandoned by authorities and had become home to poor people desperately seeking some form of accommodation in the rundown Johannesburg central business district. The building was believed to be home to around 200 families. (With AP)