Staff Writer
After an unidentified blast tore through a prominent thoroughfare during rush hour the previous evening, a body was discovered early on Thursday in central Johannesburg, according to the emergency services.
Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi stated, “(In the) early hours of this morning, we managed to collect a body of a male person on site where the explosion happened.
He claimed there were 41 injuries.
After the explosion, which damaged the road’s surface and toppled vehicles, including minibus taxis, witnesses noted chemical odors and escaping vapours.
During the investigation, the road was closed.
Preliminary investigation did not identify the cause of the explosion, according to Gauteng province’s premier Panyaza Lesufi, who also serves as the mayor of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Professionals “will get the complete view and counsel us,” said Lesufi.
The city’s privatized gas company, Egoli Gas, claimed it was “unlikely” that this was the cause because consumers were still receiving their supply without interruption. Emergency services had initially blamed underground gas pipes.
After a preliminary investigation, it made a second announcement, claiming that a “small leak” had been found on a supply pipeline and that it was believed to have been caused “by the collapse of the road.”
