South Africa: Power Returns to Parts of Joburg Following Gas Leak Explosion

Johannesburg.
25 July 2023

Harare — Power is now being restored to certain areas of the Johannesburg CBD, IOL reports.

This comes after a gas explosion on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 tore through part of Lillian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street), causing extensive damage and leaving one person dead and 48 others injured.

City Power was forced to act quickly in the wake of the explosion to protect locals and limit additional damage, although together with Johannesburg Water, they discontinued services as its own equipment was also damaged in the explosion.

Electricity to the city centre was abruptly turned off, according to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, as engineers and emergency services worked tirelessly to ascertain the origin of the explosion and gauge the extent of the damage.

During a press conference on Friday, July 21, 2023 Johannesburg's city manager, Floyd Brink, acknowledged that the explosion was caused by a gas leak. Further tests are still being carried out.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.