Deadly blast shreds Joburg CBD; roads closed

One person has died and 48 others have been injured after an underground explosion in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday.

The explosion caused panic‚ splitting a busy street open and leaving many vehicles damaged‚ with some blown off the road by the force of the blast.

Thirty-four vehicles, mostly taxis, were damaged in the explosion.

Egoli Gas has confirmed that a “small leak” was detected, which it said was probably caused by the explosion.

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said Egoli Gas was the “centre of focus” in the investigation into the cause of the blast.

But the oil and gas company said it was “unlikely that the explosion was caused by a gas pipeline or leak”.

“Our network has experienced no pressure loss, which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted,” the company said.

In an update on Wednesday night, it said: “The pipeline running on the road servitude of Bree Street has been checked and is not damaged. A small leak has been detected on the servitude pipeline at the corner of Bree and Eloff on a 100mm pipe.

“We believe the crack in the pipe has been caused by the collapse of the road. Our team is busy repairing this leak. Egoli Gas notes that there are about 15 other utility lines in the same area, for example, a sewerage line that runs directly underneath the street. We would like to reiterate that our pipelines run on the servitude of the road.

“Egoli Gas observed through various platforms and by on-site members that one or two manhole covers have been blown off and a white gas-like substance is seen coming from these openings as well as some of the exposed cracks in the road. Egoli Gas would like to mention that our piped natural gas is not visible to the human eye and this appears to be visible warm steam.

“We will keep the public posted as we continue assessing any damage to our network and assisting and providing piped natural gas expertise to the authorities, ensuring the area is maintained safe.”

Road closures

The JMPD has confirmed the closure of several roads in the CBD as a result of the explosion.

“Motorists are advised that Lilian Ngoyi [Bree] Street is closed off to traffic between Pixely Ka Seme [Sauer] and Von Wielligh Street‚ and to also expect closures on all the streets crossing Lilian Ngoyi Street between Rahima Moosa and Plein Street‚ and these include Simmonds Street‚ Harrison Street‚ Loveday Street‚ Rissik Street‚ Joubert Street‚ Eloff Street and Von Brandis Street.

“Law enforcement officials from JMPD and [the] police have been deployed to cordon off the scene to ensure the safety of all and to divert traffic on the affected routes‚” spokesperson Xolani Fihla said.

He said a “contraflow traffic management system” would be in place on Rahima Moosa Street between 6am and 2pm to redirect vehicles going to the MTN Taxi Rank.

“Those coming from Pixley Ka Seme will turn right onto Rahima Moosa Street and proceed east towards Von Weilligh Street for vehicles going to the MTN Taxi Rank.

“From 2pm‚ the conversion of traffic will flow from east to west on Rahima Moosa Street to allow vehicles from the MTN [Taxi Rank] to exit the CBD. The road closures will remain in place while specialists assess the extent of the damage and for the rehabilitation of the roadway.”

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