By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gas company, Egoli Gas says that it does not believe the cause of the explosion in the City of Johannesburg is related to gas pipelines or leaks.
“Our network has experienced no pressure loss, which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted,” it said.
“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 the road. Our teams are on site investigating for any gas leaks, they have found none so far.”
The group urged the public to not make any assumptions at this time.
Egoli Gas believes it is unlikely that the explosion in Jhb CBD, Bree Street, JHB was caused by a gas pipeline or leak. Our network has experienced no pressure loss which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted. pic.twitter.com/Lv7qFY3LfY
— Egoli Gas (Pty) Ltd (@EgoliGas) July 19, 2023
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi described the situation as “chaotic” and urged people to steer clear of the area.
Lesufi said it was a “miracle” that no fatalities were reported following an explosion.
The explosion left a sinkhole in the road and vehicles overturned.
Lesufi, who was on the scene, said nine people were injured.
He added that residents in nearby buildings had complained of headaches, chest pains and breathing difficulties.
Lesufi said he received eyewitness accounts that the entire area shook and there were a number of car accidents.
“The last time I counted, there were almost 23 cars on top of each other, and that was during peak hour. And all these taxis that were here, it means there were human beings inside of it.
“It is indeed a bad situation, the damage is extensive, but it is very difficult to calculate now,” he said.
The City manager, Floyd Brink, said disaster management teams were on the scene to ensure the gas line was closed.
Bree street just now, sinkhole, earthquake or Zama Zamas I bet it’s Zama Zamas. People are hurt I hear pic.twitter.com/w3HGmPQc1P
— Freeman Bhengu (@zibuseman) July 19, 2023
Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, noted that roads along Bree street in the CBD were closed off, including Bree & Simmons, Bree & Harrison, and Loveday street.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing with City Power, the Joburg Roads Agency and other city officials on the scene.
This just two weeks after at least 16 people including women and children died after a gas cylinder containing nitrate oxide leaked at the Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg, East of Johannesburg.