Johannesburg – A gas tanker has caught fire on the N12 West just before the Comaro Road off-ramp, causing the road to be closed.
In an early-morning announcement on Sunday, 19 April 2026, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said the tanker caught alight when a car rammed into it.
“Earlier this morning, a gas tanker was stationary on the N12 Westbound when a light motor vehicle collided with the rear of the tanker, causing a fire,” explained JMPD spokesperson, Superintendent Xolani Fihla.
“Regrettably, JMPD can confirm that the driver of the light motor vehicle sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Due to the volatile nature of the gas cargo and the fire, a total road closure is in place for both the Eastbound and Westbound lanes.”
The N12 remains a high-risk zone as cooling operations continue.
“Due to the volatile nature of the fire and the risk of explosion, all lanes in both directions (Eastbound and Westbound) will be closed to traffic,” said the JMPD spokesperson.
“Emergency services are currently on the scene.
“Firefighting operations are underway.”
Superintendent Fihla said the closure was expected to last for several hours to allow firefighting, cooling of the tanker, and subsequent mop-up operations.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area entirely and follow the designated diversion points:
- N12 Westbound (Heading toward Soweto): Traffic will be diverted at the R59 Reading Interchange.
- N12 Eastbound (Heading toward Alberton): Traffic will be diverted at Kliprivier Drive.
To bypass the incident, consider using these alternative routes:
- M1 North/South via the Booysens area.
- R59 through Alberton.
- 3Kliprivier Drive as a local bypass through the Southern Suburbs.
