By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla has confirmed the death toll in the Boksburg explosion has risen to 15 on Sunday.
Phaahla visited the OR Tambo Memorial hospital on Sunday.
Inspecting the hospital which was severely affected by the blast, Phaala was joined by Gauteng MEC for health and wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
He confirmed that three hospital workers are among the dead.
“We want to take this opportunity and pass our condolences to the families. We are informed that amongst the deceased there are also children, so it is adults and children,” the minister said.
“Most of the minor structural damages were in the form of breaking of windows; ceilings fell off. On most of the floors where the windows were broken, it was observed that there was blood on the floor possibly from injured staff and or patients.
“The Casualty and Radiology departments are not accessible until structural engineers have done their work,” Phaahla said.
Structural engineers are currently inspecting and assessing the hospital.
A high-level report is expected to be released next week which will supply more details on the state of the hospital and damages.
The explosion happened after the tanker, which was transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), got caught beneath a bridge close to a hospital and houses.
“We received a call towards 7:50am (05:50 GMT) telling us a gas tanker was stuck under a bridge,” William Ntladi, spokesperson for the emergency services.
“Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, the tanker exploded,” he said.
One of those injured was the driver, who has been taken to hospital, he added.
The tanker was delivering gas to the nearby OR Tambo Memorial Hospital, where some of the injured were treated. Patients in some units at the hospital had to be evacuated because of the explosion and fire, media reports said.
Of the 40 injured, 19 are in critical condition, while 15 others are seriously hurt but in stable condition, said Ntladi.
Six firefighters were also lightly injured, he said.
The truck was carrying 60,000 litres of LPG, which is used primarily in cooking and gas stoves.
The incident will be investigated, said Tania Campbell, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, the municipality which includes Boksburg.
“The disaster management cluster is on-site assisting the victims of this tragedy and assessing the cause of the accident,” she said.
“On behalf of the city, the office of the executive mayor commits itself to assisting all role-players in ensuring that a comprehensive investigation takes place and those who are liable are brought to book.”