Boksburg Gas Leak Disaster: Death Toll Revised To 16
Authorities have revised the death toll caused by a gas leak at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni from 24 to 16.
Three children including a one-year-old are among the 16 who died from inhaling nitrate oxide on Wednesday afternoon, 5 July.
BOKSBURG GAS LEAK DEATH TOLL REVISED
Initial reports indicated that another explosion had hit the Boksburg area. However, the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Service (EMS) said upon arrival at approximately 20:00 authorities established that gas had leaked from a canister in one of the yards in the informal settlement.
According to SABC News, the preliminarily findings indicate that the nitrate gas leak could be linked to illegal mining activity in the area.
DPP TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PROSECUTE IN TANKER EXPLOSION INCIDENT
Earlier this year, the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality said it is exploring legal action against the driver and company of the gas tanker that exploded in Boksburg on 24 December 2022.
The LP Gas tanker got stuck under a bridge and started leaking, resulting in a massive explosion that caused extensive damage to private and public infrastructure within an estimated 500 metres from the scene. The blast claimed the lives of at least 38 people, including OR Tambo Memorial Hospital staff.
As previously reported by The South African, the investigation is complete, and Gauteng police are waiting for a decision from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)
Mbuso Khumalo, the Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, said the investigating officers visited the driver. He is somewhere in KwaZulu-Natal and not well, and unable to drive.
“We are waiting for the feedback on the Public Prosecutor to tell us whether to prosecute or not to prosecute. If there is something to be attended by the police, we will also attend,” he told the public broadcaster.
