Deadly Explosion Rips Open Street in Johannesburg CBD

One person died and 48 others were injured when an underground explosion hit the Johannesburg central business district on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Thirty-four vehicles were damaged.

South African news outlet TimesLive reports that the explosion caused panic, splitting a busy street open and leaving many vehicles damaged, with some blown off the road by the force of the blast. Reporters on the scene described the intense smell of gas lingering in the air.

According to SANews.gov, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that although there is a suspicion that the explosion was caused by gas, all relevant stakeholders who provide services in the area have been brought in to determine the cause.

"We have now formally brought all institutions that deal with gas. We now have eGoli Gas; we have brought Sasol and we are bringing anyone that has either underground pipes or caballing. Telkom, water and any institution that will assist us just to determine the cause of the impact and also give us the necessary advice. City Power...have since taken a decision to switch off the Bree Street substation so that the team can go in there and identify the cause and also assist us to identify areas that need our immediate intervention," he said.

This article originally appeared on All Africa

Photo: Getty Images