Child thrown from burning building during civil unrest in South Africa

DURBAN, South Africa

A mother in South Africa threw her child from a burning building into the arms of rescuers as riots escalated in Durban on the country’s east coast.

Media outlets captured the moment the woman dangled the child off the edge of the roof before throwing them down to a group of around half a dozen people.

The mother and child were reunited, the child was believed to be safe.

Riots erupted across South Africa following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma for refusing to appear in court to face corruption charges.

At least 72 people have been killed and over 1200 arrested.

Many of the deaths in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces occurred in chaotic stampedes as thousands of people stole food, electric appliances, liquor and clothing from stores, officials said.