5 children, woman burnt beyond recognition in Gqeberha informal settlement fire

CAPE TOWN - Eastern Cape police have opened an inquest docket after five children and a 68-year-old woman were burnt beyond recognition in an informal settlement fire at New Brighton, Gqeberha.

Police said the deceased minors were between the ages of four and 11.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Provincial police spokesperson Andre Beetge said the incident happened at Ngene Street on Thursday.

"Formal identification of the six deceased will need to be conducted by forensic analysis [DNA] and no names can be released at this stage. An inquest docket was opened and is being investigated by SAPS [South African Police Service] New Brighton."