By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A gas explosion in Boksburg has claimed the lives of at least 24 people in the Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg, East of Johannesburg, on Wednesday night.
The cause of the leak is unknown and is being investigated
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson William Ntladi said scores have been killed.
“I can confirm there was gas poisoning. A cylinder of nitrate oxide was found on the scene.”
“Thus far we can confirm that about 24 bodies have been identified and [are] lying around at the Angelo informal settlement here in Boksburg.”
However, our emergency services teams inside are still searching through the informal settlement and through the shacks to identify if there are other patients [who] can be positively identified [so] the number might rise,” Ntladi said.
Ntladi said the cause of the leak is currently unknown but the nitrate oxide cylinder may be related to illegal mining activity in the area.
“It is unknown and still under investigation, but preliminary information is that this was related to illegal mining activity.”
The incident comes six months after the Christmas Eve gas tanker explosion in Boksburg, which left 41 dead and scores injured.
The fuel tanker exploded after it became wedged beneath a bridge only metres away from the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
This is a developing story.