WATCH: Explosion rocks Joburg CBD, several injured
Emergency Management Services (EMS), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, and other law enforcement officers were deployed to Johannesburg’s central business district (CBD) on Wednesday evening following an explosion at Bree Street.
Early indications were that an underground gas pipeline may have exploded, causing extensive damage to the area.
The explosion was confirmed by JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla on Wednesday evening.
Fihla said EMS and JMPD officers were still accessing the extent of the damage and injuries.
ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring whose officers were also on the scene, said initial reports indicate that several people sustained minor to moderate injuries, but no fatalities had been reported.
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) spokesperson, Bertha Peters-Scheepers said the affected areas had been closed off to allow emergency and other critical services.
"The following streets are closed off: Simon Street and Bree Street, Harrison Street and Bree Street, Loveday Street on both sides," she said.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and other officials were on the scene to assess the damage.
* Editor’s note: this is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
#JHBTraffic The following streets have been closed off:
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 19, 2023
- Simon Street and Bree Street
- Harrison Street and Bree Street
- Loveday Street both sides
[BREAKING] - ER24 and other services are on the scene of an alleged gas explosion at the corners of Bree and Eloff in Johannesburg CBD. We urge all motorists to avoid the area. Further updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/JiJS7HVYJi
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) July 19, 2023
[UPDATE] - Initial reports show that several people sustained minor to moderate injuries. No fatalities have been reported thus far. pic.twitter.com/M8NmYTzR65
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) July 19, 2023
Currently at the JHB CBB, the damage is extensive please try to avoid the area. Our emergency services are already here pic.twitter.com/MrI4eOBE50
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 19, 2023
Our team is managing this chaotic situation pic.twitter.com/75YY1Exb8k
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 19, 2023
Evening Joburg
— Exec. Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda (@KabeloGwamanda) July 19, 2023
Following the explosion that happened this afternoon at Jhb CBD, which caused the road to partially collapse. I’ll be heading there this evening, to assess the damage.
Please take note of the following road closures:
Bree & Simmons
Bree & Harrison
Loveday street pic.twitter.com/GzV6viGGsH
#JoburgServices #MobilityMadeEasy #JHBTraffic #JoburgUpdates pic.twitter.com/1bjWbHkqtK
— Joburg Roads Agency (@MyJRA) July 19, 2023
19 July 2023 - 17h46
— Road Angels Traffic Information (@Road_Angels_SA) July 19, 2023
We are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in Jhb CBD possibly on the gas lines underground.
At this time we request the public to *stay clear* of the area to allow emergency services to attend to the scene. pic.twitter.com/zL674bGidB