A gas explosion left a massive sinkhole in Johannesburg's Central Business District, with multiple injuries reported.
Several people have been injured after a suspected gas pipeline explosion in central Johannesburg, south Africa's largest city. The underground blast caused a massive sinkhole on the street, causing numerous cars to slam into and overturn multiple cars.
Footage from the scene shows a deep crack in the ground, with vehicles scattered along the street in the city's central business district.
At least nine people were injured in the incident, according to local authorities. Medics set up a triage area a safe distance away, while Fire and Disaster Services evacuated the general area, ER 24 said.
Initial reports from the scene showed that several people had sustained minor to moderate injuries. The patients were treated for their injuries and later transported to nearby hospitals, the report said.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department has appealed to citizens to avoid the scene of the bombing, closing the area to traffic, which had already been brought to a standstill by the explosion.
A strong smell of gas was reported at the scene even after the explosion, which is believed to have been the cause of the explosion. There is some uncertainty as to whether there was an incendiary explosion or whether the road was burst open by unusual underground pressure of another type.
Egoli Gas, the local gas operator, insisted its network was not involved in the incident, urging the public not to make assumptions about the circumstances surrounding the blast.
Our gas pipelines have not experienced any pressure loss, indicating that the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted, the company said in a statement.
Initial reports have shown the road collapse to be mainly in the center. Our gas pipelines are located on the sides of the road. We are still on site investigating for any gas leaks, the company said in a statement.
8 Comments
Tyutyunya
Despite the incident, the gas operator ensured that its customers in the area continue to receive uninterrupted gas supply. This demonstrates their commitment to customer service and reliability.
marshal
The fact that there were no reported gas leaks thus far indicates that the gas pipelines were intact and functioning as intended. This reflects well on the safety measures and infrastructure maintained by the gas operator.
Eric Cartman
The teams on site conducting the investigation are actively searching for any gas leaks. This coordinated effort shows a commitment to identifying and mitigating potential risks.
Stan Marsh
The incident highlights a lack of safety measures in place to prevent such accidents. It raises concerns about the infrastructure and maintenance practices in the city.
Eric Cartman
The injured individuals were promptly treated for their injuries and transported to nearby hospitals. This shows an effective coordination between emergency medical services and healthcare facilities.
Madagascar
The investigation conducted by the gas operator is not conclusive, and there is a possibility of undetected gas leaks in the area. This poses a continuous risk to the safety of residents and needs to be addressed promptly.
Korsika
The explosion and subsequent road closure have caused significant disruptions to the daily life of residents and businesses in the central business district. This can have a negative impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of people in the area.
Muchacho
Considering the magnitude of the explosion and resulting sinkhole, the number of injuries reported was relatively low. This highlights the effectiveness of the emergency response in minimizing casualties.