- Body Found at Scene of Johannesburg Explosion
- 48 Injured in Rush Hour Blast
- Investigation Ongoing, Source of Explosion Not Yet Determined
Emergency services reported that a body was discovered in the heart of Johannesburg early on Thursday morning after an unidentified explosion blasted through a busy street during rush hour the previous evening.
The detonation blew a hole and created cracks in the road, scattering pedestrians and vehicles.
“In the early hours of this morning, we were able to recover the body of a male at the site where the explosion occurred,” said Robert Mulaudzi, spokesman for Emergency Management Services.
Premier of Johannesburg’s Gauteng province Panyaza Lesufi informed the media that 48 persons were injured.
After the powerful explosion, which overturned vehicles, including minibus taxis, witnesses reported chemical aromas and escaping vapors.
A preliminary inspection, according to Lesufi, did not reveal the origin of the explosion.
Experts are “still searching for the source,” he said.
A four-lane boulevard used by minibuses for commuting and lined by high-rise apartment towers and street-level merchants exploded.
CCTV footage depicted terrified individuals fleeing for safety following the explosion.
Thursday, the area remained closed as police chased away onlookers.
Elias Mawela, the provincial police commissioner, stated, “It’s about keeping this area sterile.”
“Should there be a secondary explosion, lives could be lost,” he said.
Emergency services initially blamed underground gas pipelines for the explosion, but the city’s privatized gas company, Egoli Gas, stated that it was “unlikely” that this was the case as customers continued to receive uninterrupted gas supplies.
However, after an initial inspection, it issued a second statement stating that “one or two manhole covers” had been blown off and that a “white gas-like substance” was observed emanating from these apertures.
The mayor also informed reporters that homeless people who usually sleep on the streets were moved to temporary shelters.
