Truck with liquified gas explodes in South Africa; 8 killed

JOHANNESBURG — (AP) — A truck carrying liquified petroleum gasoline has exploded within the South African city of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, killing no less than 8 folks and injuring 50 others on Saturday, officers stated.

The highest of the truck scraped a low-lying bridge, sparking flames that induced the explosion, in accordance with emergency companies officers.

Video footage shared by residents on social media confirmed the dramatic explosion, with pedestrians working away from the blaze and automobiles dramatically dashing away. A number of homes and automobiles have been broken by the explosion, in accordance with native stories.

The tanker was reportedly delivering gasoline to the close by O.R. Tambo Memorial Hospital, the place a number of the injured had been handled. Sufferers in some items on the hospital needed to be evacuated due to the explosion and fireplace, in accordance with native media stories.

“Strolling by means of right here was only a sight of absolute devastation, I’ve by no means seen one thing like this ever earlier than,” native resident Simon Lapping, instructed the native Citizen newspaper. He stated he noticed the our bodies of six adults and two youngsters.

The incident will probably be investigated, stated Tania Campbell, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, the municipality which incorporates Boksburg.

“The catastrophe administration cluster is on-site helping the victims of this tragedy and assessing the reason for the accident,” she stated. “On behalf of the town, the workplace of the chief mayor commits itself to helping all role-players in guaranteeing {that a} complete investigation takes place and people who are liable are delivered to e book.”

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