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Ramaphosa urges investigators into what caused fatal gas leak

At least 17 people died due to a gas leak in the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 5 July. Emergency services first reported that 24 people had died, this total was revised to 16, and according to reports another individual died in hospital early on Thursday. READ: ‘Very cold, wet and windy’: Another […]

By Storm Simpson
06-07-23 13:17
in Featured

At least 17 people died due to a gas leak in the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 5 July. Emergency services first reported that 24 people had died, this total was revised to 16, and according to reports another individual died in hospital early on Thursday.

READ: ‘Very cold, wet and windy’: Another cold front to hit the Cape

RAMAPHOSA EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO GAS LEAK VICTIMS AND EMPHASISES THE NEED FOR PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Residents allegedly inhaled toxic nitrate oxide from a leaking gas cylinder. The gas was reportedly used for an illegal mining operation in the area. Suspected illegal miners are among the dead. Five women and three children also died.

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness over the tragedy and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

READ: Dozens dead after suspected gas leak in Boksburg informal settlement

“President Ramaphosa has described this as a very sad morning. He further urges investigators to get to the bottom of what may have caused this accident to avoid similar disasters in future,” read a statement from the Presidency.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) stand near a body covered with a blanket about 300 metres away from a scene where people died from a gas leak at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg on July 6, 2023. – At least 16 people, including children, have died after a gas leak at a South African informal settlement near Johannesburg, emergency services said on July 6, 2023, revising the death toll after some people were resuscitated. Fire and emergency services received a call around 8 pm (1800 GMT) on July 5, 2023 about a gas explosion, but on arrival they discovered it was “a gas leakage from a cylinder” containing a “poisonous gas”. (Photo by Wikus de Wet / AFP)

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AFP reported that the death toll was revised after paramedics managed to revive some of the victims at the scene.

“We have got 16 on the scene now that are confirmed dead, and the intervention of paramedics managed to revive some others and they were taken to hospital,” said Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi to the news agency.

SABC News reported that three victims are in a critical condition at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.

READ: ‘Abuse of court processes’: Ramaphosa welcomes court’s decision on Zuma’s private prosecution

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