Egoli Gas says there was no pressure loss in gas pipelines
19 July 2023 - 18:56
UPDATED 19 July 2023 - 22:12
by Staff Writer
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A trail of destruction on Bree, Rissik and Joubert streets in Johannesburg, July 19 2023. Picture: TWITTER/NHLANHLA NYAWO
An underground explosion on Wednesday afternoon ripped through central Johannesburg, destroying parts of Bree Street and damaging vehicles.
An official notice sent to community police forum groups said that the explosion had occurred “possibly on the gas lines underground”.
However, on Wednesday night Egoli Gas said it was unlikely the explosion was caused by a gas pipeline as there was no pressure loss, “which indicates the pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted”.
At least five taxis were overturned and motorists trapped in their cars after the explosion. The blast, which caused fissures on the roads near the Bree Street taxi rank, happened during rush hour at about 5pm.
City of Joburg officials asked the public to stay clear of the area but people continued to flood in despite JMPD efforts to close the roads. Emergency services were on the scene, and at least one report said several people had been injured.
Images from the scene showed a severely damaged road, with tar ripped up and cars and taxis strewn along one of Johannesburg’s main traffic routes.
Bree Street after an underground explosion, July 19 2023. Picture: HULANI MBELE
Videos and images of a damaged Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD started doing the rounds on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
“Evening Joburg, following the explosion that happened this afternoon at JHB CBD, which caused the road to partially collapse, I’ll be heading there this evening to assess the damage,” executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda posted on social media on Wednesday evening.
“Please take note of the following road closures: Bree & Simmons; Bree & Harrison; Loveday Street.”
Joburg emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said he did not have the full details yet. But ActionSA Gauteng chair Funzi Ngobeni said the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) had confirmed it was a gas pipeline explosion.
“Apparently it’s a gas line explosion, we don’t have any details except what the JRA is telling us,” he said
Updated: July 19 2023 This story has been updated with new information.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Huge explosion rips through central Joburg
Egoli Gas says there was no pressure loss in gas pipelines
An underground explosion on Wednesday afternoon ripped through central Johannesburg, destroying parts of Bree Street and damaging vehicles.
An official notice sent to community police forum groups said that the explosion had occurred “possibly on the gas lines underground”.
However, on Wednesday night Egoli Gas said it was unlikely the explosion was caused by a gas pipeline as there was no pressure loss, “which indicates the pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted”.
At least five taxis were overturned and motorists trapped in their cars after the explosion. The blast, which caused fissures on the roads near the Bree Street taxi rank, happened during rush hour at about 5pm.
City of Joburg officials asked the public to stay clear of the area but people continued to flood in despite JMPD efforts to close the roads. Emergency services were on the scene, and at least one report said several people had been injured.
Images from the scene showed a severely damaged road, with tar ripped up and cars and taxis strewn along one of Johannesburg’s main traffic routes.
Videos and images of a damaged Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD started doing the rounds on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
“Evening Joburg, following the explosion that happened this afternoon at JHB CBD, which caused the road to partially collapse, I’ll be heading there this evening to assess the damage,” executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda posted on social media on Wednesday evening.
“Please take note of the following road closures: Bree & Simmons; Bree & Harrison; Loveday Street.”
Joburg emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said he did not have the full details yet. But ActionSA Gauteng chair Funzi Ngobeni said the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) had confirmed it was a gas pipeline explosion.
“Apparently it’s a gas line explosion, we don’t have any details except what the JRA is telling us,” he said
Updated: July 19 2023
This story has been updated with new information.
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