A Johannesburg Explosion That Killed 1, Injured 48
Johannesburg, South Africa: Wednesday, July 19, 2023:
One man died, and at least 48 people were injured after a suspected underground gas explosion ripped open roads and flipped vehicles in the heart of South Africa's biggest city, authorities, and emergency services said Thursday.
The moment the explosion happened on Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg. Taxis' lifted into the air due to the impact of the blast, and chaos ensued as terrified pedestrians scrambled for cover
The City of Johannesburg has confirmed the CBD explosion was caused by gas. But they are yet to determine the source of that gas. The city has also ruled out illegal mining.
Human rights lawyer Richard Spoor believes sewer gas is the cause of the explosion. He says this is likely due to poor tunnel ventilation and has significant consequences. 'These kinds of explosions only occur when you get an explosive mixture of gas in the tunnels,' he said. You get these kinds of mixtures if the tunnel is not ventilated correctly —the risks of explosions are well-known and well-understood.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi urges residents and motorists to avoid the area due to fears of a possible secondary collapse. 'We are concerned about people who might be tempted to come to the area,' he said.