A man was killed and 41 others were injured in an unexplained explosion on a main road in central Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
The blast, which occurred at rush hour, caused a large hole in the road and overturned several vehicles, including minibus taxis. Witnesses reported smelling chemicals and seeing vapors escaping from the site of the explosion.
The road was closed as investigators worked to determine the cause of the blast. Emergency services initially blamed underground gas pipes, but the city’s gas company said it was unlikely that this was the cause, as customers were still receiving their gas supplies uninterrupted.
A further inspection by the gas company revealed a small leak on a supply pipeline, which was suspected to have been caused by the collapse of the road. However, the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.
The incident has caused widespread shock and concern in Johannesburg. The city has a history of gas explosions, and many people are worried that this latest incident could be the result of negligence or sabotage.
The authorities have said that they are taking the matter very seriously and that they will do everything they can to find out what happened. In the meantime, the road remains closed and traffic is being diverted.