By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A fuel tanker has exploded in Boksburg, south of Johannesburg, resulting in deaths and critical injuries on Saturday morning.
Eight people have so far been confirmed dead – six adults and two children. Multiple injuries have also been reported.
The explosion happened on Hospital Road, a few metres from Tambo Memorial Hospital, when the tanker drove into a low-lying bridge.
JHB – Boksburg: Gas Truck Explosion: Road Closures of Hospital Road / Railway Road pic.twitter.com/GyuZn9Zqc1— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) December 24, 2022
The explosion occurred after a truck, belonging to Infinity Gas, that was carrying LP Gas, went under the railway bridge on Hospital Road, close to the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital.
The Tambo Memorial Hospital was damaged, with patients scrambling to safety.
Three or four cars are also said to have been involved in the accident.
Paramedics and multiple emergency service agencies are currently at the scene on Railway Street in Boksburg.
“At this stage we can confirm there have been multiple people left with critical injuries and several fatalities,” said Kyle van Reenen, Emer-G-Med spokesperson.
Road closures of Hospital Road / Railway Road were put in place shortly after the incident.
Ekurhuleni councillor Simon Lapping said the site of the explosion in Boksburg on Saturday is “devastation second to none”.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before and I cannot believe the trauma that’s happened like this the day before Christmas,” Lapping added.
The councillor said he is certain there will be an investigation into the explosion.
“There must be a serious investigation into how a truck carrying LP Gas can go under a low-level bridge. Normally these trucks are not permitted to do so,” said Lapping.