July 6 (EUROPA PRESS) –
At least 16 people have died this Thursday from gas inhalation suspected to be associated with illegal mining activities in the South African city of Boksburg, near Johannesburg.
The local Disaster and Emergency Management Services have confirmed the death toll, after an initial number estimated at 24 deaths. They have also clarified that there has not been an explosion, thus denying the reports that pointed to this incident.
“We received a call about a gas explosion, but upon arrival, we discovered that a cylinder of nitrate oxide had leaked, causing inhalation poisoning among people in and around the informal settlement of Angelo,” explained a spokesman for the emergency services to the chain Newzroom Afrika.
However, it has added that the search for additional victims will continue throughout the night while the scene of the events is monitored.
On Christmas Eve there was an explosion of a gas tanker truck in the same city, in which 41 deaths and dozens of injuries were recorded. The vehicle, which was transporting liquefied petroleum gas, allegedly got stuck due to excess gauge on a bridge near a hospital.
