Boksburg Gas Leak Kills 16 People at Squatter Camp, Gas Cylinder Responsible Linked to Suspected Zama Zamas

• 16 people, including women and children, have been confirmed dead from a gas leak at Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg
• The gas cylinder responsible for the leak was allegedly stolen by suspected illegal miners from a nearby warehouse
• The Boksburg gas leak comes six months after the devastating Christmas Eve gas tanker explosion that killed 41

BOKSBURG - Several bodies were found scattered around the Angelo informal settlement near Boksburg following a nitric oxide gas leak.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 5 July. At least 16 people, including women and children, have been confirmed dead from nitric inhalation poisoning.

The mass death has been linked to a gas cylinder believed to have been stolen by suspected illegal miners from a nearby warehouse, The Citizen reported.

Preliminary investigations link gas leak to illegal mining activity

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Boksburg gas leak: 3 kids among those killed by toxic gas, leaving SA distraught: “God Save South Africa”

The link to alleged illegal mining activities was made through preliminary information, and the incident is still under investigation. However, Ekurhuleni emergency services said illegal miners usually use nitric oxide to draw gold out of the soil.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson William Ntladi said EMS teams are still combing the informal settlement in search of other victims who may have also been poisoned, meaning the death toll may rise.

The deadly nitric oxide gas leak comes six months after the catastrophic Christmas Eve gas tanker explosion that claimed 41 lives and left scores of people injured, IOL reported.

South Africans mourn lives lost in Boksburg gas leak

Below are some reactions:

@BonganeMzi mourned:

"This is sad news, may their souls rest in peace."

@Joe4421246681 added:

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Zama Zama who survived abandoned Harmony Gold mine blast refutes deadly explosion was caused by methane gas

"This is so sad. God save South Africa."

@Rangwetse1 said:

"This illegal mining will cause more deaths if nothing is done about it."

@_Don_Self grieved:

"Innocent people lost lives."

@mphoSA549460744 criticised:

"Welcome to "banana republic" where everybody does as they please. Illegal mining could be the cause of this."

@MrThizozo commented:

"Boksburg must be named GAS LEAK CITY!!!"

@TPinkie claimed:

"I'm starting to think we are cursed here in Boksburg."

@KaraboPDube added:

"Boksburg needs prayers."

Eastern Cape collision kills 15 people including 2 children in horror accident involving truck, taxi and cow

In another tragic story, Briefly News reported that a horrific freak accident in Aberdeen, Eastern Cape, has claimed the lives of 15 people, including children.

A heavy-duty truck lost control after hitting a cow while travelling on the N10 on Sunday evening, 2 July.

According to the Eastern Cape Provincial Transport Department, the truck driver tried to regain control of the vehicle, but the trailer capsized, crushing the fully loaded taxi beneath it, eNCA reported.

Source: Briefly News