1 killed, 41 injured in underground gas explosion in South Africa’s Johannesburg

Johannesburg (ANI): At least one person was killed and 41 others injured in an underground gas explosion in South Africa’s Johannesburg central business district on Wednesday night (local time). A member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety in Johannesburg said on Twitter: “MMC for Public Safety Dr Mgsini Tshwaku was on the scene last night when an underground gas explosion occurred in the Joburg CBD last night. Emergency services were deployed to assess the cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage.” Late in the night, Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the Johannesburg city emergency management services, confirmed that they had recovered one body while others were injured. Mlaudzi tweeted, “Joburg CBD (Central Business District) blaze update: bodies recovered by @CityofJoburgEMS firefighters, #41 other patients were treated at the scene for minor to severe injuries and later moved to various health care facilities for further medical care.” The blast triggered panic, opening up a busy road and damaging several vehicles, with some vehicles being blown off the road due to the blast, reports Timeslive. Timeslive is a South African online newspaper that started as The Times daily newspaper. The Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) confirmed several road closures in the CBD as a result of the blaze. “Motorists are advised that Lillian Ngoi (Brie) Street is closed to traffic between Pixley Ka Seme (Sawyer) and Von Weili Streets, and all roads crossing Lilian Ngoi Street between Rahima Moses and Plein Streets and Inn are also expected to be closed to traffic. Simmonds Street, Harrison Street, Loveday Street, Risick Street, Joubert Street, Eloff Street and Von Brandeis Street. “Law enforcement officers from the JMPD and the police have been deployed to cordon off the scene to ensure everyone’s safety and to divert traffic on the affected routes,” said spokesman Zolani Fehla. He added that a “contraflow traffic management system” would be in place on Rahima Moses Street between 6am and 2pm to redirect vehicles going to the MTN taxi rank. “People coming from Pixley Ka Same shall turn right onto Rahima Moosa Street and proceed eastwards towards Von Weili Street for vehicles heading to the MTN taxi rank. “From 2 pm, there will be a change of traffic on Rahima Musa Street to flow from east to west to allow MTN rank vehicles to exit the CBD. The road will remain closed while experts assess the extent of damage and rehabilitation of the road.