A 32-year-old driver will today appear at the Boksburg Magistrate Court in connection with the deadly gas explosion near the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital on Christmas Eve that has claimed the lives of 18 people including health workers.
The man was driving a gas tanker under a low-lying bridge when the valve snapped, leaking the gas which caught fire and exploded killing scores of people while other passers-by suffered severe burns.
The yet to be named man is facing multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligence causing an explosion resulting in death [Act 26 of 1956, Section 27 (2)] and malicious damage to property.
The explosion damaged OR Tambo Memorial Hospital infrastructure, a railway line and caused fire to some houses, cars and other properties.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the blast and wished a speedy recovery to those who are still in hospital.
“The nation’s hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating incident. Such events take on greater sadness and tragedy when they occur at this time of year when all of us pray for safety and look forward to the togetherness and comfort of extended time with family and friends.
“In this instance, the loss of life is rendered more intense because some of the victims were hospital patients, hospital staff and children, while firefighters are counted among the injured,” he added.
Ramaphosa also called for vigilance when travelling on the roads during the Festive Season.
“While we await the outcome of investigations into this tragedy, this incident does, like so many others, call on all of us to show due care and to avoid risk when we are out on our roads which we share as a public amenity.
“As government, we are taking all necessary actions to bring relief to persons affected by the incident and we draw inspiration in our own efforts from the demonstrations of ubuntu we are seeing on the part of communities and community-based organisations.
“While these interventions bring us hope and light in our darkest hour, we must always live by the resolve to prevent such a catastrophe from taking place in the first place,” he added. The Minister of Health Joe Phaahla also sent condolences to the family and the loved ones.
“At any time it is bad to lose family members. It is even worse on the eve of Christmas and also on Christmas day that so many people passed away. Three of those who have passed away are staff members of the hospital and for those who are recovering we wish you a speedy recovery,” said the Minister.
Phaahla has urged residents to use alternative hospitals or adjacent facilities as services at OR Tambo Hospital have been suspended. President has lauded rescue and recovery efforts by government agencies and services as well as other organisations.
