Scores of people including healthcare workers from the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg were killed and others badly injured, when the tanker carrying Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) got stuck under a bridge and exploded on Christmas Eve.
Part of the hospital was damaged, some houses caught fire and rais infrastructure was also blown up in the explosion.
According to the Gauteng Health Department the number of fatalities now stands at 37, with additional body parts found around the area of the incident.
Of the 37 people that have died, 12 are healthcare workers (10 government employees and two agency staff), all stationed at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
The provincial government also clarified the issue around the number of people injured from the incident. Initially it said 13 people from the hospital were injured. However, the government has now confirmed that the number is in fact 35, including those who are deceased.
In the statement, the government also said the majority of the people injured in the explosion, including the hospital staff, have since been discharged.
Of the eight Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services personnel who were injured in the explosion, six have been discharged, while two have since been downgraded from intensive care to normal wards and are recovering well,” said the statement.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi, has extended his condolences, once more, to the families of the deceased and assured them of the government’s continued support .
“The premier wishes those that are still receiving medical attention a speedy recovery. We continue to stand with the many families whose lives have been changed forever by the tragic incident.
“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,” said Lesufi.
The national and provincial government has deployed officials to attend the funerals and to provide support to the affected families.
“There is ongoing counseling to staff and their families, and to the bereaved families offered by clinical psychologists, social workers, and Chaplains. Where necessary, the 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.”
Some 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.
