A suspected gas explosion in Johannesburg during rush hour causes chaos and injuries, as authorities investigate the cause. Watch dramatic videos of the shattered road on Bree Street and cars flipped over.
During the evening rush hour on Wednesday, a suspected gas explosion ripped through a busy road in Johannesburg, South Africa, causing chaos and destruction. Eyewitnesses described feeling the ground shake before a loud bang echoed at the time of the blast, according to BBC.
Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported so far, but nine people sustained minor and intermediate injuries, leading them to be taken to the hospital. Concerns about a potential second explosion prompted the evacuation of other individuals from the area.
Images and videos circulating on social media depicted significant cracks and holes in the middle of roads, with cars overturned along Johannesburg's Bree Street.
Explosion in Jozi... joubert and bree street pic.twitter.com/nJIUnHwMfh
β Sizwe Mchunu (@CzweMchunu)This looks bad!! π±π
Suspected gas explosion in Johannesburg rips open roads and flips cars during rush hour.
Video via: pic.twitter.com/ucDwoDSbpu
π Underground gas explosion in Johannesburg, people were hurt, Cars damaged.ππππ pic.twitter.com/gWqBlWmcWq
β Sbusiso M. Mhlanga (@SbusisoMMhlanga)Suspected Gas explosion in Bree Street, Johannesburg CBD. pic.twitter.com/GqZInpx0kP
β Manβs NOT Barry Roux ο£Ώ (@AdvoBarryRoux)Johannesburg,, Reports of an underground gas line explosion in the JHB CBD - Bree street. pic.twitter.com/ihAFKKw2yf
β Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz)Damn π³
βΌοΈ π¨ BREAKING β An explosion is recorded in Johannesburg (South Africa). A gas pipeline apparently exploded, causing the partial destruction of a road. pic.twitter.com/26UQyPjEff
Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that buildings were at risk of collapsing, and the extent of damage was significant. The explosion caused 23 vehicles to be flipped over, further exacerbating the impact.
Residents residing in flats along Bree Street received advisories to evacuate the buildings for safety reasons.
While the explosion is suspected to have been caused by gas, the exact source remains unclear. Authorities are investigating whether it resulted from a leak in the city's underground pipes or another undetermined origin. To determine the cause, experts have been called in to conduct a thorough examination of the incident.