Johannesburg – The number of people who lost their lives as a result of the LP gas tanker blast in Boksburg has risen to 40 and only two victims remain hospitlaised.
Giving an update on the tragedy on Thursday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said: “Today marks exactly 20 days since the fateful day that left all of us reeling from the untold anguish that befall the province and the nation following the tragic Boksburg tanker explosion incident”.
The premier added: “It leaves me numb that since the last update we gave on Wednesday, 4 January 2022, we have since lost three more people.
“This brings the number of the deceased from this terrible incident to 40 according to the latest update given by the police yesterday.”
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“There are no words to adequately convey words of condolences to the families that are now having to deal with a 2023 they did not foresee,” Lesufi said.
“It will take time for the wounds to heal. We are ready to walk this journey with them to assist in whichever way we can.”
Premier Lesufi said there were only five victims of the devastating blast that remain admitted at various hospitals. To date, 23 patients have been discharged.
“Our report is based on the confirmed numbers, it might change as we get more confirmations from the facilities,” the premier said.
“With regards to the eight Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services personnel that were injured during the explosion, the status quo is still as per our last update.
“Six have been discharged, while two remain in hospital.”
The explosion damaged the bridge, parts of the Tambo Memorial Hospital, and nearby houses.
The Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) appointed a contractor on the 26th of December 2022 to repair the doors and windows at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
“We can confirm that the construction work for the replacement of broken windows at the hospital, including the nurse’s residence has been completed,” Lesufi said.
“Some of the work is almost at completion stage, following delays because of the festive period break.”
Due to the extent of the damage, the Casualty Unit at the hospital remains closed.
“I am made to understand that some of the affected families are considering or are taking steps to institute a class-action suit,” Lesufi said.
“They are well within their rights to pursue whatever means of recourse available to them within our legal system.”
The premier, however, said this does not mean that the government must not pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
“We owe it to the many lives that have been lost and the many people that have been injured, including the many affected families, to see to it that justice prevails,” Lesufi said.
“Painful as this chapter is, it must end with justice being served.
“Justice being served means that there must be people held accountable for the tragic loss of life, and families need to find closure.”
The premier said the Gauteng government continues to provide support to the affected families in the form of trauma debriefing services.
The City of Ekurhuleni Community Development Workers is conducting door-to-door visits in the area to identify and refer affected families who have not yet received any assistance following the explosion.
