A suspected gas explosion tore apart a busy road in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the evening rush hour on Wednesday, according to the BBC. At the time of the explosion, witnesses claimed to have felt the ground tremble and then heard a huge noise.
Officials said nine individuals were brought to hospitals for mild and moderate injuries, but no fatalities have been reported. Concerns for a second explosion led to the evacuation of other persons from the region.
Social media users posted images and videos showing massive cracks and holes in the centre of the road as well as automobiles tipping over on Johannesburg’s Bree Street.
“There is a risk of collapse for the buildings. According to the Independent, Gauteng province’s premier Panyaza Lesufi described the damage as “extensive.” He further mentioned that the explosion caused 23 automobiles to flip over.
Residents of the flats on Bree Street have been told to leave the structures.
Although gas was thought to have caused the explosion, it is unclear if the leak in the city’s subsurface pipes or some other, unknown source was to blame. In order to ascertain what might have triggered the explosion, several experts have been consulted.
