A major gas explosion in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa, has caused significant damage and left several people injured, prompting authorities to issue safety warnings and conduct investigations.
Emergency services, including ER24, City of Johannesburg EMS, and Disaster Management, quickly responded to the incident in the Johannesburg CBD upon receiving reports of an underground gas explosion.
Upon arrival, rescue teams discovered overturned vehicles scattered along the road, their metal frames appearing to have been severely compromised.
Medics set up a triage area at a safe distance, while Fire and Disaster Services evacuated the immediate vicinity. Preliminary reports indicated that numerous individuals had suffered minor to moderate injuries, and they received prompt medical treatment before being transported to nearby hospitals.
Details surrounding the exact cause of the explosion remain unknown, and authorities are actively investigating the incident to ascertain its origins. Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, described the scene as “chaotic” and urged residents to avoid the area for their safety.
Damn this is Scary… to think our experts have not figured out the cause.
what if this is an attack and our authorities cant pick it up lol…
Joburg | Egoli Gas | JHB CBD | Ramaphosa | Bree street | Soweto | Limpopo | Putin pic.twitter.com/8JYrPo5QQs
— sandile msibi (@SandileKaMsibi) July 20, 2023
In response to the incident, City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, ordered the closure of several roads in the CBD, including Bree & Simmons, Bree & Harrison, and Loveday Street.
Various agencies, including City Power, the Joburg Roads Agency, and other city officials, are actively participating in the ongoing investigation.
However, gas company Egoli Gas stated that the cause of the explosion is unlikely to be related to gas pipelines or leaks. The company’s network experienced no pressure loss, indicating that their gas pipelines remain intact, and customers in the area continue to receive an uninterrupted gas supply. Initial observations suggest that the collapse occurred mainly in the road’s center, whereas the gas pipelines run along the road servitudes on the sides.
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While investigations continue, Egoli Gas appeals to the public not to make any assumptions or draw conclusions until further details emerge.
