Gas Leak Kills 16, Including 3 Children, in Johannesburg Informal Settlement
Johannesburg, South Africa – A toxic nitrate gas leak caused the deaths of at least 16 people, including three children, in an informal settlement in Johannesburg, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the Angelo settlement in Boksburg, a city on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg.
Initially, emergency services reported that up to 24 people may have died in the incident. However, after a recount of the bodies, the number of confirmed deaths was revised to 16. Search and rescue teams are still combing the area for any additional casualties.
The bodies of the victims remained on the ground for hours as emergency services awaited the arrival of forensic investigators and pathologists. William Ntladi, spokesperson for the emergency services, stated, “We can’t move anybody. The bodies are still where they are on the ground.”
Among the victims were three children aged 1, 6, and 15. Two individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to the police.
The gas leak was caused by a nitrate gas that leaked from a gas cylinder stored in a shack. The cylinder had emptied out during the leak. Authorities believe the cylinder was being used by illegal miners to separate gold from dirt and rock.
Videos shared by Gauteng Province Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Twitter showed the inside of a dusty shack with at least four gas cylinders on metal stands. Lesufi also pointed out the cylinder responsible for the leak lying on the floor next to the shack’s entrance.
It is unclear if the illegal miners responsible for the gas leak were among the casualties. Illegal mining is prevalent in the gold-rich areas around Johannesburg, where miners enter closed off and disused mines in search of remaining deposits.
Mining accidents, both underground and related to illegal mining, are common in South Africa. Recently, the South African government announced that at least 31 illegal miners were believed to have died in a gas explosion in a disused mine in the city of Welkom. The cause of that explosion was methane gas, according to the mining department.
The incident in Boksburg comes just months after 41 people died in the same city when a truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas got stuck under a bridge and exploded on Christmas Eve.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the gas leak and its impact on the community.
What steps can local authorities take to ensure accountability for the chemical storage facility responsible for the gas leak
Scue operations are still ongoing in the area to ensure there are no more victims.
The gas leak occurred in the early hours of the morning, catching the residents of the informal settlement off guard. Many were still asleep when the toxic gas spread throughout the area. Emergency services were immediately alerted and rushed to the scene to evacuate and provide medical assistance to those affected.
It is believed that the gas leak originated from a nearby chemical storage facility, although an investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause. Local authorities have assured the public that steps will be taken to hold those responsible accountable for this tragic incident.
The victims, including the three children, succumbed to the effects of the toxic gas before help could reach them. Their deaths have left the community and the nation in shock, prompting calls for improved safety regulations in informal settlements.
South Africa has a high number of informal settlements, with thousands of people living in precarious conditions and lacking access to basic services. Incidents like this highlight the urgent need for better infrastructure and safety measures in these areas.
As the search and rescue operations continue, authorities are also working to provide support and counseling to the affected families. The tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the risks faced by those living in informal settlements and the determination needed to prevent future incidents.
This devastating incident is a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with illegal mining activities. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and we must work towards curbing such hazardous practices to prevent further loss of innocent lives.