At least 16 people, including three children, have tragically lost their lives in a devastating toxic gas leak in South Africa’s city of Boksburg. Emergency services initially reported that as many as 24 people had died, but the exact figure remains unclear. Rescue teams are still working diligently to assess the full extent of the casualties caused by this horrifying incident.
The incident occurred in the Angelo informal settlement on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg. The South African Police Services have confirmed that the three children who lost their lives were aged 1, 6, and 15. Two other individuals have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
The toxic gas leak originated from a gas cylinder that was being stored inside a shack in the informal settlement. According to emergency services spokesman William Ntladi, the leak has now been stopped, and search teams are currently combing a 100-meter radius around the cylinder to ensure no additional casualties are present.
Forensic investigators and pathologists are being deployed to the scene to assess the situation further. As of now, the bodies of the victims are still at the location where they were found. Authorities are unable to move them until the necessary investigations and processes have been completed.
Preliminary information suggests that the gas cylinder was being utilized by illegal miners in the processing of gold within the shack. Illegal mining activities are prevalent in the gold-rich areas surrounding Johannesburg, where miners venture into abandoned mines in search of remaining deposits.
It is worth noting that Boksburg, the city where this tragic incident occurred, was also the site of a previous gas-related incident that claimed the lives of 41 people. On Christmas Eve, a truck carrying gas became stuck under a bridge and subsequently exploded.
This latest gas leak tragedy underscores the ongoing dangers posed by illegal mining activities and highlights the need for improved safety measures within these communities. The South African authorities must take decisive action to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the risks associated with such hazardous practices.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families affected by this horrific event. It is crucial that the investigation sheds light on the circumstances surrounding this incident so that appropriate measures can be implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future. May the souls of the innocent lives lost in this toxic gas leak rest in peace.
