Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has expressed shock and sadness on the Boksburg gas leak that has claimed 17 lives.
The incident happened on the evening of Wednesday, 05 July. About 12 other people were taken to the hospital, one of those admitted was in critical condition.
It is alleged that the Nitrate Oxide leaked from a gas cylinder and poisoned the community of Angelo Informal Settlement in Boksburg. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the Nitrate Oxide was being used by illegal miners in the area to extrapolate what is perceived as gold from the soil in the informal settlement.
“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. We are confident that the investigations led by the police will assist us to get to the bottom of this senseless loss of lives,so we can go back to the affected families and explain what happened”, said Premier Lesufi.
He added that the provincial government will give the necessary support to the affected families.The gas leak comes seven months after the Boksburg gas tanker explosion that claimed the lives of 41 people in December 2022.
