JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Chaos erupted in Johannesburg on Wednesday during the evening rush hour as a suspected underground gas explosion tore through the city, leaving destruction in its wake.
Over 20 cars were flipped and roads were ripped open, injuring at least nine people, according to authorities.
Emergency responders quickly rushed the injured to hospitals, where they were treated for injuries that were deemed non-life-threatening.
Fearing a possible second explosion or the collapse of multi-story buildings in the affected downtown area, authorities evacuated people from the vicinity.
Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, expressed concern about the structural integrity of buildings in the area.
He stated, “Buildings are in danger of collapsing… The damage is extensive.”
The impact of the explosion was felt across an area encompassing five city blocks.
Witnesses reported seeing 23 vehicles overturned, and massive cracks and holes appeared in the roads, some of which were large enough to cause vehicles to slide into them.
While authorities suspect gas to be the cause of the explosion on bustling Bree Street in downtown Johannesburg, the source remains unclear.
It is uncertain whether the gas leaked from the city’s underground pipelines or originated from another undetermined location.
Egoli Gas, Johannesburg’s gas supplier, issued a statement asserting that it was unlikely that one of its pipelines caused the explosion.
The company confirmed that there were no interruptions in its supply in the affected area and its investigators found no leaks.
The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m., a time when many people were gathering on the streets to catch minibus taxis, a common commuting method in South African cities.
The explosion resulted in several minibus taxis and other vehicles being overturned or left on their sides, some even stacked atop one another.
Eyewitnesses recounted that some passengers were already inside the minibuses when the explosion hurled them into the air.
The aftermath was chaotic, with people running as smoke billowed from the cracked road.
One survivor, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted his terrifying experience to eNCA television.
He said, “I was in my car when I heard a big sound. The next thing, I was in the air, and my car was overturning.”
Fortunately, he survived the ordeal with no injuries.
Emergency crews tirelessly searched through the wreckage, hoping to rescue any trapped individuals.
Panyaza Lesufi stated that more injured people might still be found amidst the mangled vehicles and nearby buildings.
While authorities are relieved that there were no reported fatalities, they remain concerned about the gas leak and the potential dangers it poses.
Lesufi stressed, “This place is still dangerous… The smell of gas is still in the area.”
This explosion comes just weeks after a toxic nitrate gas leak in an informal settlement near Johannesburg claimed 17 lives, including three children.
The leak was attributed to an illegal gold processing operation in the settlement.
The incident further underscores the need for greater safety measures and vigilance regarding gas-related incidents in the region.
