Fuel Tanker Explosion in South Africa Claims At Least 15 Lives Near Hospital

The massive petrol tanker explosion east of Johannesburg that injured about 40 people and claimed at least 15 lives.

On Saturday morning in Boksburg city, the tanker looked to have become stuck under a low bridge approximately 100 meters from Tambo Memorial Hospital.

After the explosion, a portion of the roof in the hospital’s casualty area fell, requiring the evacuation of patients.

There was liquid petroleum gas in the truck.

Emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi was quoted as stating, “Apparently, a gas truck drove beneath the subway bridge and got stuck in there, and because to friction, it caught alight.”

An enormous second explosion that was seen on amateur footage occurred as firefighters worked to put out the flames and destroyed a fire engine and two cars.

Considering that 19 individuals are in critical condition and 15 more are stable but critically injured, there are concerns the death toll may increase. This is according to AFP.

Michael Kulinji, an eyewitness, told the news agency Reuters that he had seen the flames under the bridge and that the explosion seemed “more like a bomb.”

According to Reuters, Jean Marie Booysen, another witness, stated that she witnessed “immense flames” at approximately 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) and that “this seems like 6.5 on the Richter.”

A number of people appear to be stumbling through a residential neighborhood close to the epicentre in footage that was presumably shot right after the explosion. They are also scorched and bewildered.