Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Thursday confirmed that the death toll from the Boksburg tanker explosion on Christmas Eve has risen to 40.
Twenty days since the blast, five people are still in various hospitals receiving treatment in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.
“This number is inclusive of 12 health workers. Five are still in various hospitals,” he said, adding that 23 people who had sustained various injuries had been discharges.
Lesufi said the Gauteng government could now account for all the dead and those injured in the blast. The number of the deceased people now stands at 40.
“There are no words to adequately covey words of condolences to the families that are now having to deal with a 2023 they did not foresee. It will take time for the wounds to heal. We are ready to walk this journey with them to assist in whichever way we can,” he added.
Lesufi confirmed that 23 people have since been discharged from hospitals so far.
“Our report is based on the confirmed numbers; it might change as we get more confirmations form the facilities.
“With regards to the eight Ekurhuleni Emergency Services personnel who were injured during the explosion, the status quo is still as per our last update. Six have been discharged, while two remain in hospital.”
Lesufi said he felt numb after he was informed that three more people died since January 4.
“It leaves me numb that since the last update we gave on Wednesday, 4 January 2022, we have since lost three more people.”
The tanker which was transporting liquid petroleum gas, exploded after it became stuck under a low-lying bridge in the Plantation residential area.
Lesufi said the provincial Department of Infrastructure Development already appointed a contractor on 26 December to repair the damage to the nearby Tambo Memorial Hospital.
Source: Sowetan Live, News24, Jacaranda FM, Times Live, Sunday World, image from Twitter: @Radio2000_ZA