At least one person has been confirmed dead from an unverified explosion that occurred in central Johannesburg on Thursday morning, July 20.
Emergency services have said that the unexplained blast had exploded in a busy street at rush hour on Wednesday, July 19 evening.
The blast had blown a hole in the road, burrowing cracks, and skittering pedestrians and cars alike.
The premier of Johannesburg’s Gauteng province, Panyaza Lesufi, had informed the press that 48 people had been injured.
Witnesses have reported smelling chemical odors and seeing escaping vapors after the blast, which overturned vehicles, including minibus taxis.
Lesufi had also remarked that preliminary investigations had failed to determine the cause of the blast.
Experts are still investigating as of the time of writing this report.
The blast occurred on a broad four-lane avenue used as a commuting artery by minibuses, bordered by high-rise buildings housing apartments and street-level stores.
CCTV footage had showed scared people running for safety, after the explosion..
The area has already been barricaded and police officials have chased away onlookers.
Emergency services had initially attributed the explosion to underground gas pipes but Johannesburg’s privatised gas company, Egoli Gas, had remarked that it was doubtful, as their customers were still receiving their supplies.
But it had issued a statement after preliminary investigations had been completed, revealing that about two manhole covers had been blown off, with a white gas-like substance seeping out the openings.
