By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The N12 Westbound has been temporarily closed after a gas tanker collided with a car and caught fire near Bassonia, south of Johannesburg.
According to emergency personnel, the accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson, Kagiso Phasha told Fullview that the area remains highly hazardous.
Phasha confirmed that one person has died thus far and they are waiting for the gas tanker to cool down before they can start the retrieval efforts.
“We have contained the fire. We’re cooling down the gas tanker. While we cool down, we are also waiting to reduce the pressure in the gas of the tank, added Phasha.”
♦️ TRAFFIC ALERT ♦️
An accident has been reported along the N12 involving an LPG tanker. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services firefighters remain on scene attending to the incident.… pic.twitter.com/USylnPVACg
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) April 19, 2026
Firefighters and traffic officials are at the scene while mop-up operations are underway.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla has urged motorists to avoid the area.
These include the M1 north and south via the Booysens area, the R59 through Alberton, Kliprivier Drive as a local bypass through the southern suburbs, and Comaro Road via Oakdene.
“The closure is expected to last several hours to facilitate firefighting, cooling of the tanker, and subsequent mop-up operations,” said Fihla. We urge motorists to exercise extreme patience and, if possible, avoid travelling through the southern parts of Johannesburg.”