At least eight people died and some fifty were injured, including firefighters, by the explosion this Saturday of a tanker truck carrying fuel near the South African city of Johannesburg, the country's emergency services confirmed.
According to the emergency services of the metropolitan district of Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, where Boksburg is located, the town where the explosion took place, the tanker truck got stuck under a bridge and rubbing against the top of the vehicle caused the fire.
"Apparently, a gas (liquefied petroleum) tanker truck drove under the bridge (...) and got stuck, and because of the friction, it caught fire," the emergency services spokesman told local media. William Ntladi.
According to Ntladi, six firefighters went to extinguish the flames, but while they were trying to do so, an explosion occurred.
"We can confirm eight deaths so far," said the spokesman, detailing that "the fire is under control" and firefighters continue to work to extinguish it.
The explosion also affected adjoining buildings, including two homes where fires broke out and the Tambo Memorial Hospital, located about 100 meters away, where some victims were initially taken, although they later had to be evacuated when part of the roof of the hospital collapsed. emergency room.
"The explosion hit our emergency room in such a way that patients had to be evacuated... Bystanders have been injured, including some of our workers," said the executive director of the medical center, Zenzo Ndabula.
