Johannesburg – Three more people have succumbed to injuries they sustained in the deadly Boksburg LP gas tanker explosion on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 18.
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Giving an update on Monday, Boxing Day, the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) said, “the death toll from the unfortunate and disastrous gas truck explosion in Boksburg has now risen to 18 people”.
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“Of the 18 deceased people nine are Tambo Memorial Hospital staff, consisting of one driver, and eight nurses,” the GDoH said.
“Families can now be able to identify their deceased loved ones:
“The department would like to advice affected families that they can now be able to visit the mortuary to identify their loved ones at the Germiston Forensic Pathology Services situated at 10 Long Street, Germiston, (behind the police station in Germiston).”
They can also contact make contact on 082 306 2887 which is a 24-hour line.
The Forensic Pathology Services operate from 08:00 to 15:00 Monday to Friday excluding public holidays and weekends.
“However, given the need to assist families the offices will be opened on Tuesday, 27 December 2022.”
The GDoH said the person designated to conduct the identification of the deceased needs to bring the following:
Original ID document of the family member coming to identify the deceased.
Original Identification Document of the deceased person is needed, or an abridged birth certificate where an ID is not available.
If the deceased person is a child without an ID, a birth certificate is acceptable.
An Abridged birth certificate for adults can be obtained from Home Affairs offices.
If the deceased is a foreign national, a passport, an asylum seeker certificate, or a letter from the country of origin Embassy confirming who the deceased is and to whom the mortal remains should be handed over to.
A Drivers Licence is not accepted in line with the Identification Act
The GDoH said counselling services for families coming to identify their loved ones will be offered on-site.
Thirty-seven people including 24 patients who were at the hospitals Accident and Emergency Department and 13 staff members who were outside the wards and in the parking lot.
Patients with severe burns were taken to neighbouring hospitals including Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Far East Rand Regional Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, Pholosong Hospital, and LenMed.
The GDoH said Tambo Memorial Hospital was still not taking new patients and “we request that the patients bear with us as visits are still temporarily suspended”.
Of the 321 patients that were in the facility before the explosion, 42 patients were discharged on Sunday.
As of Monday, 26 December 2022 in the morning, the number of patients admitted to the facility is 279.
Families who have loved ones at Tambo Memorial Hospital can call the facility on 011 898 8000 to check the status of their loved ones.
Members of the public who might want to report missing persons in relation to the Boksburg explosion can contact the Gauteng Provincial Government Service Delivery Hotline number on 0800 228 8227.
The social workers from the Gauteng Department of Social Development together with the City of Ekurhuleni will be providing counselling services.
