The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has confirmed that there was an explosion underneath Bree Street in the city’s CBD between 17h00 and 18h00 this afternoon, “possibly on the underground gas pipelines,” completely destroying the road.
Multiple people sustained minor to moderate injuries and are being treated at the scene, with many already taken to nearby hospitals. Several cars and taxis were also thrown on their sides while others were “split wide open,” according to ER24 emergency services.
The current assumption is that the explosion could have been due to a sinkhole below the gas line, but this has not yet been confirmed. A police officer near the epicentre told News24 reporters at the incident that they’re dealing with an “active gas leak” and they “don’t know how far underground the sinkhole is.”
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has therefore warned the public to steer clear of the area, and officials are turning away residents who live in buildings close to what appears to be the epicentre.
Please avoid the Joburg CBD pic.twitter.com/8J8FufC3Bm
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 19, 2023
Johannesburg councillor Sihle Nguse, who was in the city centre when the explosion happened, said that he thought there was a “massive shootout” when he heard the loud bangs.
“People were scattered, running for cover. I thought people were being shot at,” said Nguse.
“I saw cars flying in the air. I ran closer and saw people on the floor injured. Many people were lying on the ground injured.”
Streets closed
The JRA has cordoned off the area to allow emergency and other critical services to get access, with the following streets being closed until further notice:
- Simon and Bree Street
- Harrison and Bree Street
- Loveday Street both sides
“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” said the City’s roads agency.
This is a developing story.
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