Johannesburg – The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) on Saturday said priority was being given to survivors of the deadly LP gas tanker explosion in Boksburg.
The explosion at a bridge about 100 metres away from Tambo Memorial Hospital affected the facilitys Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E), and other sections.
“Thirty-seven people, including 24 patients and 13 staff members who were situated in the hospitals A&E at the time of the explosion, sustained severe burns and have been diverted to neighbouring hospitals,” said the GDoH.
The patients were taken to various medica facilities including Bertha Gxowa, Far East Rand and LenMed.
At least three critical patients were airlifted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Emer-G-Med earlier said as many as 10 people had died as a resulr of the explosion.
RELATED: LP Gas Tanker Crashes, Explodes, 10 Dead, Firefighters Among Injured – The Bulrushes
The GDoH said it “wishes to assure families of patients and the public that it is prioritising the care of patients and staff affected by the tragic gas truck explosion that happened earlier this morning in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni”.
The impact of the explosion also affected houses and buildings within an estimated 500 metres from the scene.
“Disaster and emergency medical services personnel are on site and have been assisting patients who sustained various degrees of burned wounds and laceration due to flying debris,” the GDoH said.
The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services has dispatched 22 ambulances, eight response vehicles, three rescue vehicles and one disaster bus to assist in the evacuation of patients from the hospital as w well provide emergency services following the tragic explosion.
Different private service have also dispatched their ambulance to augment the resources on the scene.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has expressed her deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones as a result of the explosion.
This is a sad day. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic incident,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“We would like to assure the public that the Gauteng EMS response team together with our health personnel working with other emergency response teams have been on the ground making sure that those that need medical care are attended to and transported to nearby facilities.
“Gauteng health facilities are on standby to assist those that need any medical attention.
We know that families are anxious on the whereabouts of their loved ones, and we commit to giving an update on this for now the team is ensuring that we contain the situation.”
The MEC pleaded with the public not to come near the site of the incident to give space to disaster management response teams to deal with the situation.
For now, the immediate priority is to ensure that those that need medical care are attended to as a matter of urgency so that we can stabilise the situation, said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The tragic explosion has caused serious damage to sole sections of the hospital, however, services at the Tambo Memorial Hospital continue.
The hospital is on diversion, which means that it is not taking any patients except for those that are already in the facility.
Members of the public who need any medical care should kindly visit nearby facilities.
