Just in: Joburg gas explosion – One person killed, 41 injured

One person was reportedly killed, and 41 others were injured in the underground gas explosion in Johannesburg.

JUST IN – ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, AND 41 OTHERS WERE INJURED

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 BODY OF A MAN WAS RECOVERED NEAR TO WHERE THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED

“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.

LESUFI SAID TECHNICIANS FOUND A MINOR LEAK

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.

HOWEVER, EGOLI GAS SAID ALL THEIR 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.

TEAMS ARE ON SITE INVESTIGATING FOR ANY POTENTIAL GAS LEAKS

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.

THE PUBLIC SHOULD STILL AVOID THE AREA

“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.

ALSO READ: Johannesburg gas explosion: Road closures and alternative routes

HERE IS THE LATEST ON THE JHB GAS EXPLOSION CHAOS

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.

ALSO READ: JHB GAS explosion: Several people injured in the explosion

⚠️ALERT : Road Closures in the JHB CBD due to last evening's Explosion 💥.
⛔ Bree Street and Harrison Street
⛔ Bree Street and Simmonds Street
⛔ Loveday street (Both ways)

*Bree Street is now called Lilian Ngoyi Street. #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/fJFBjmVlhR

— 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐆𝐔𝐘 🇿🇦 (@Takatso_Moloi) July 20, 2023

THESE ROADS IN JHB INNER CITY ARE CLOSED

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.” – Xolani Fihla

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tanker explosion on the N1 near William Nicol -AVOID the area

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