Johannesburg – The death toll related to the Christmas Eve tanker explosion in Boksburg has risen to 27.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has been visiting families of the deceased and offered psychological support.
“The last 48 hours have been difficult… as we visit {affected] families… people are still dying… ” lamented Premier Lesufi, adding, “we are saddened, we are in deep pain.”
Two people are still unaccounted for, Lesufi revealed.
Meanwhile, the charges of culpable homicide, damage to infrastructure and reckless driving against the arrested tanker driver have been dropped owing to insufficient evidence, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Wednesday.
The 32-year-old driver, who had been taken to hospital after inhaling noxious fumes from the tanker before it exploded, was released on Tuesday, 27 December.
The truck belonged to Infinite Group Transport, part of the Sasolburg-based Infinite Group, and was carrying 60 000 litres of LPG from the Port of Richards Bay to a destination in neighbouring Botswana.
However, charges may still be preferred at a later stage.
RELATED: LATED: Boksburg Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 18 – The Bulrushes
RELATED: Boksburg Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 18 – The Bulrushes
