A suspected underground gas explosion has caused chaos in Johannesburg, injuring at least nine people and damaging a significant portion of the city’s infrastructure. The blast occurred during the evening rush hour, causing widespread destruction and disruption to the city’s transportation network. According to authorities, at least 20 vehicles were overturned, with some victims still trapped inside. Miraculously, no fatalities have been reported, although the injuries sustained are non-life threatening.
The explosion has left a trail of devastation, with huge cracks and holes opening up in the middle of roads, some as large as 10 feet across. Buildings in the surrounding area are also in danger of collapsing, prompting emergency services to evacuate residents and motorists from the affected zone. “Buildings are in danger of collapsing,” said Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Authorities are struggling to determine the cause of the explosion, although it is believed to be gas-related. Johannesburg gas supplier Egoli Gas has denied any involvement, stating that there was no interruption in their supply and their investigators found no leaks. The South African government has launched an investigation to determine the source of the gas and the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Explosion Rocks Johannesburg Streets, Leaving Trail of Destruction
Eyewitnesses have described the chaos and panic that followed the blast, with people running for their lives as smoke poured out of the cracked roads. “I was in my car when I heard a big sound,” said one witness, who wished to remain anonymous. “The next thing, I was in the air and my car was overturning.” Rescue workers are still searching through the mangled vehicles and nearby buildings, fearing that there may be more victims trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident has raised concerns about gas safety and the potential for further explosions in the area. Experts have cited the earlier nitrate gas leak in another part of the city, which killed 17 people, as a stark reminder of the dangers of gas leaks and the need for effective safety measures.
As emergency services continue to respond to the crisis, the city’s residents are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what could have caused such a devastating explosion.
