Explosive Chaos: Gas Explosion Rips Through Johannesburg CBD, Flipping Cars and Wrecking Roads [Pics]
The heart of Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD) was jolted by a cataclysmic gas explosion during yesterday’s evening rush hour, sending shockwaves through the city and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The explosion occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on Bree Street, a bustling thoroughfare teeming with commuters heading home.
Roads Ripped Open, Cars Flipped, and Buildings at Risk
The underground blast, suspected to have originated from a gas leak, violently tore open the roads.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of utter chaos as the underground blast violently tore open the roads, leaving massive cracks and holes in the middle of the asphalt.
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More than 20 vehicles, including minibus taxis and private cars, were hurled into disarray, some flipping over and landing on top of each other, turning the street into a twisted metal graveyard. The impact was so severe that vehicles were seen sliding into enormous sinkholes, some of which were large enough to swallow entire cars.
Nine Injured, Rushed to Hospital
According to News24, authorities confirmed that at least nine people sustained injuries in the disaster. Fortunately, their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and they were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Emergency services worked tirelessly to secure the scene and provide medical assistance to the wounded.
Extent of Damage Revealed
The impact of the explosion was extensive, with an estimated five-city block radius suffering severe damage. In addition to the overturned vehicles, massive cracks and holes appeared on the roads, posing a significant hazard to emergency responders and residents.
Cause of Explosion Under Investigation
As investigators combed through the debris-riddled scene, initial suspicions pointed to a gas leak as the probable cause of the explosion.
However, authorities remained cautious not to draw hasty conclusions. They diligently examined the city’s underground gas pipelines, seeking to determine whether a leak triggered the disaster or if an entirely different, yet unknown, factor contributed to the catastrophe.
