Boksburg tanker explosion kills 9
At least nine people were killed and numerous others injured when a gas truck exploded in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg on Saturday morning.
Emergency workers rushed to the scene in Railway Street, which is about 100m from Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“On arrival, medics found a smouldering truck under a bridge with several bodies lying nearby,” said ER24’s Russel Meiring.
Horrific videos and photos shared on social media show bodies lying on the ground and severely burnt people trying to get medical help.
It is believed a gas tanker exploded after crashing into a low bridge, causing it to compress before bursting into flames.
Meiring said seven people died on the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
“Approximately forty other patients were tended to on the scene, several of them in critical condition. Medics treated the patients and provided the critically injured with advanced life support before they were transported to various hospitals for further care.”
It is understood that several buildings, including the nearby hospital, were damaged in the explosion.
Boksburg GP 👆
— 🔞SA911 (@JustdoitZee) December 24, 2022
There's a big fire involving a gas truck and 4 cars under the train bridge next to BBH
Gas truck explode under bridge at BBH
Avoid Railway Road and Hospital Road. It was definitely this that caused the explosion
13-15 Hospital Rdhttps://t.co/MOieaoqSDZ pic.twitter.com/M3YuTrmbpw