Johannesburg Explosion: CCTV Footage Shows Moment of Impact As Vehicles Go Up in the Air
A massive underground explosion rocked the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) on Wednesday, 19 July. Witnesses reported seeing several cars, including minibus taxis, being flung into the air as a result of the impact.
Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi says officials are still trying to figure out the cause of the explosion.
Stay tuned to Briefly News for the latest updates on the Johannesburg CBD explosion.
Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi gives an update on the Joburg CBD explosion
Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi has confirmed that the explosion on Bree Street was caused by gas.
Lesufi explained during a press conference that the preliminary investigations by the Department of Labour found the nature of the gas explosion was similar to an incident in Yeoville (Telkom towers).
Three junction points (manholes) are declared areas of interest, and officials believe the explosions emanated from them.
Man killed in Joburg CBD explosion still unidentified
Lesufi said the man killed in the Joburg CBD explosion has not been identified. Police have taken his fingerprints in hopes of finding his identity.
According to the premier, the death remains one and 48 people were injured.
One person killed in Braamfischer explosion
Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi says officials recieved a phone call about an explosion in Braamfischer at around 2pm.
During a media briefing regarding the Bree Street explosion, Lesufi stated that there was one fatality and one injury as a result. The explosion happened at a house.
CCTV footage of Johannesburg CBD explosion released
A video of the devastating explosion in Johannesburg CBD has been shared online.
The footage was taken moments before the road on Bree Street (now Lilian Ngoyi Street) cracked, and vehicles were flung into the air.
The CCTV footage shows minibus taxis on the busy road going up in the air and pedestrians running away in panic. A shop owner immediately closed down his business following the explosion.
Egoli Gas still a suspect in Johannesburg CBD explosion
Police are still unclear what caused the explosion. However, Gauteng Premier Panayza stated in a media briefing that no company had been ruled out, including EgoliGas, reports Newzroom Afrika.
"Egoli Gas remains our centre of focus because all of us agree that the cause of this either explosion or impact is gas so that we can isolate all institutes that have the legal mandate to deal with gas," said Lesufi.
The gas company issued several statements claiming that their gas pipelines did not cause the damage. In another statement, the company admitted that there was a "small leak" from one of their pipes most likely impacted by the explosion.
48 People injured but only 12 people still in hospital
Gauteng Premier Panyanza Lesufi, alongside the City of Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, updated the media on the number of people injured in the Joburg CBD explosion.
As it stands, 48 people, mostly pedestrians, were injured in the explosion, with only 12 people still in hospital receiving medical attention.
Only one fatality has been confirmed so far. The man was reportedly found underneath a car while officials cleared the area and returned vehicles to their owners.
Businesses on Bree Street (now Lilian Ngoyi Street) have closed to reduce foot traffic on the explosion scene. According to Newzroom Afrika, the explosion area has been declared a crime scene.
Read more on the explosion here.
