Boksburg, South Africa mourns the loss of 16 lives, including 3 children, after suspected gas leak.
Initially, emergency services estimated up to 24 fatalities, but after a recount of the bodies, it was later confirmed that the number of deaths was 16.
Emergency services were alerted to an incident that was believed to be a gas explosion at around 8pm. However, upon further investigation, first responders discovered that the fatalities were not caused by an explosion but by a poisonous gas leak that had permeated the area.
According to a spokesperson for the emergency services in Ekurhuleni municipality, William Ntladi, the source of the gas leak was a cylinder located in the Angelo Camp, an informal settlement with limited public services.
It has been suggested by authorities that the gas leak at the Angelo settlement may be linked to illegal mining operations. Ntladi also speculated that the nitrate had been used to extract gold from the soil.
“It’s not a nice scene, it’s painful, emotionally draining and tragic,” South Africa’s Gauging province premier, Lesufi Panyaza said.
Although no hospitalisations have been reported yet, search-and-rescue operations are still underway and investigators are working to identify the victims.
