Johannesburg – The death toll from the Boksburg devastating tanker blast on Christmas Eve has sadly risen to 37.
“Today, Wednesday, 4 January 2022, the police notified the Gauteng Provincial Government that the number of fatalities now stands at 37, with additional body parts found around the area of the incident,” said a statement released by the Gauteng Provincial Government.
“Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is saddened by the rising death toll.”
The statement said of the 37 people that have passed on, 12 were healthcare workers (10 government employees and 2 agency staff). They had all been stationed at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“The provincial government confirms that the number of TMH staff members who were injured during the incident is 35, and not 13, as previously communicated. The 35 injuries are inclusive of those that died,” the statement said.
Most of the staffers injured in the explosion have since been treated and discharged.
Eight Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services personnel were injured during the explosion.
Six have been discharged, while two have since been downgraded from intensive care to normal wards and are recovering well.
“Premier Lesufi, on behalf of the provincial government, extends his sincerest condolences, once more, to the families of the deceased and assures them of the continued support by the government during this difficult period,” said a statement released by the Gauteng Provincial Government.
The statement said the premier wished those that were still hospitalised and receiving medical attention a speedy recovery.
“We continue to stand with the many families whose lives have been changed forever by the tragic incident,” assured Premier Lesufi.
“This has not been an easy period, particularly for those who lost their loved ones.
“We implore our health professionals to provide the best care to those that are still on the road to recovery.”
The premier said there were still several patients injured i the blast who were in various hospitals.
He said the health department continues to monitor their situation.
“Given the nature of the incident and the extent of injuries incurred, many families – both staff and the public – decided to speed up the process of laying their loved ones to rest,” Lesufi said.
Some families have buried their loved ones, whilst others will bury their loved ones this week and next week.
Lesufi said the national and provincial governments deployed officials to attend the funerals and to provide support to the affected families.
There was ongoing counselling available for staff and their families and to the bereaved families offered by clinical psychologists, social workers, and Chaplains.
“Where necessary, government, working with organisations such as Gift of the Givers and AVBOB, have assisted with burial arrangements above other social relief measures offered to affected families,” the Gauteng Provincial Government said.
Meanwhile, the following services have since resumed at Tambo Memorial Hospital – Antenatal Clinic, Operating Theatre, Outpatient Department, and Maternity Services.
Areas still affected include the Accident and Emergency Unit, Radiology, and Clinical departments including Maternity Services for high-risk patients.
Contractors remain on site to work on the affected sections of the hospital to restore services as quickly as possible.
