MAYHEM and anxiety hit one of the busiest roads in Joburg.
Bree Street experienced a suspected gas explosion last night that resulted in 48 people injured, one dead and vehicles overturned.
Authorities rushed to the scene, as residents around the epicentre complained of headaches, chest pain and difficulty in breathing because of a strong gas smell between Lillian Ngoyi and Eloff streets, respectively.
Some described the sinkhole as if “tornado has just passed”.
Tenants and residents were ordered to vacate their buildings to determine the extent of the damage but also avoid recurrence of the sinkhole.
This morning it was reported a child was missing, according to Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela, during a media briefing on Thursday morning.
He said police received information from residents suggesting that the child could have been hit by debris from the blast.
He said police were investigating: “We have deployed our dogs, which are trained to do search and rescue to search for us in all those areas.”
While residents were adamant that the child had died, Mawela said investigations were yet to determine the truth.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, City Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, MMCs and other stakeholders are on the ground, supported by Egoli gas, Sasol, City Power to establish what might have triggered the explosion and how to deal with it, amongst others.
Although unconfirmed it is believed illegal mining or zama zamas might have caused this mayhem.
Meanwhile, JMPD has cordoned off streets leading to Bree Streets, Lilian Ngoyi and Eloff.
It’s unknown how long will this take to be resolved and roads fixed.
Another explosion took place in Braamfischer, Soweto, that resulted in one death.
The cause was a heater, confirmed Premier Lesufi.
Image (Mayhem in the City. Taxis and cars overturned during gas explosion that occurred last night).
