JUST IN: One person killed, 41 others injured in JHB gas explosion Photos: Twitter/@ArriveAlive
One person was reportedly killed, and 41 others were injured in the underground gas explosion in Johannesburg.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi told the media the body of a man was recovered near where the explosion occurred.
Earlier, Mulaudzi said that those injured in the incident were receiving medical attention.
“The other 41 people were treated for serious to moderate and also minor injuries on site and were later transported to various healthcare facilities throughout the city of Johannesburg for further medical care.”
It is believed that a gas leak was the cause of the incident.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi on Wednesday night said Egoli Gas technicians found a minor leak from a 100m gas pipe and said investigations into the cause of the explosion were still underway.
Egoli Gas said in a statement that its gas network had experienced no pressure loss, which indicates the gas pipelines are intact.
“Our gas pipelines operate at extremely low pressure providing safe gas supply in highly built-up areas and are therefore unlikely to cause an explosion or explode.
“Initial reports have shown the collapse in the road to be mainly in the center. Our gas pipelines are located in the road servitudes on the sides of roads,” Egoli Gas said.
It furthermore said its customers in the area will continue to receive gas uninterrupted.
Egoli Gas said its teams are on site investigating for any potential gas leaks.
“They have found none so far. We reiterate that our gas pipelines are on the side of the road in road servitudes that are intact in the CBD, including Bree Street.
“We urge the public not to make assumptions at this time. We are cooperating with all emergency services and other services on-site,” it said.
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The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla said motorists are advised that Lilian Ngoyi (Bree) Street in the Johannesburg CBD is closed off to traffic between Pixely Ka Seme (Sauer) and Von Weilligh Street.
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He further said the public should expect closures on all the streets crossing Lilian Ngoyi Street between Rahima Moosa and Plein Street. This includes the following streets:
- Simmonds Street,
- Harrison Street,
- Loveday Street,
- Rissik Street,
- Joubert Street,
- Eloff Street
- Von Brandis Street.
“This is following the explosion incident which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, 19 July 2023, and has left Lilian Ngoyi Street inaccessible to vehicular traffic.
”Law enforcement officials from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been deployed to cordon off the scene to ensure the safety of all and to divert traffic on the affected routes.”