Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the death toll in the Boksburg gas tanker blast has risen to 15.
Phaahla said 3 OR Tambo Memorial Hospital staff members are amongst the deceased.
Phaahla and health MEC Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko said this while visiting the site of the gas tanker explosion in Boksburg.
The explosion caused damage to a bridge, two houses and the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital. The hospital is currently not taking patients following the blast.
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[BREAKING NEWS] Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has confirmed that the #Boksburg explosion has claimed 15 lives.
Tune into #Newzroom405 for details. pic.twitter.com/O5LPjKUA7f
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 25, 2022
Meanwhile, police have opened an inquest docket into the circumstances around the gas tanker explosion.
The truck driver was rescued from the blaze and has been hospitalised.
Witness Jean Marie Booysen described a “huge jolt” in the early hours of the morning, shortly after 6.30am.
“Today is indeed a very sad day in our little suburb,” she said, standing near a forensics team combing the scene.
She said she later learned of the deaths of “two children here across the road, 16, the girl, and 25, the boy, who came and did my lawn every weekend for me”.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Disaster management and law enforcement agencies are working together to assist those affected while mop-up operations continue.
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