The deadly gas tanker explosion in Plantation, Boksburg, on December 24 has claimed another life – increasing the death toll to 38.

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tania Campbell says since the day of the explosion, various departments in the city have been working tirelessly to ensure that a thorough and meaningful investigation takes place to ascertain what happened and to plot the way forward.

“Today [January 9] I had a meeting with members of the mayoral committee, the chief of police, various heads of departments and senior officials to get feedback on the status of the investigation.

“I am pleased with the progress that is being made in this regard and expect a final report to come to the mayoral committee this month, which will subsequently be presented to the council,” explains Campbell.

Campbell adds that the metro is exploring its legal options to act against both the company that owns the truck and the driver of the truck.

“We believe that there is sufficient evidence to do so. More information in this regard will be communicated in due course. Once all investigations are concluded, we will show no fear nor favour in holding those responsible to account,” says Campbell.

She thanked the outpouring of support from civil society, NGOs, faith-based organisations, unions, residents, and other spheres of government.

“Without you, our relief efforts would have not been as impactful as they have been,” she adds

Search continues for missing people

The mood in the area remains sombre as rescuers continue to search for missing body parts.

Boksburg Advertiser visited the area on Thursday to interact with personnel from the provincial SAPS K9 Unit, Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Search and Rescue South Africa.

The rescue teams had not found any further human remains by the time the journalist left, but remnants of the debris from the blast are still visible in all directions.

Two charred sandals and burnt T-shirts, likely from victims, were spotted on the pavement, while flowers, candles and teddies left as tributes to the victims can be seen on both sides of the road.

Still reeling from the incident and with memories of the explosion lingering in their minds, residents from adjacent homes looked on as the rescuers went from house to house, hoping to find remains.

The search extended from the residential area to the premises of Tambo Memorial Hospital and south of the bridge to Boksburg Lake. A SAPS helicopter was used for an aerial search of the roofs of the hospital and nearby homes, but nothing was spotted.

“We did a re-sweep of the area. It was done on the day of the incident, but due to the heat, smoke and amount of people on the scene, the dogs couldn’t pick up any scent,” says Gauteng EMS spokesperson JP von Benecke.

He explains the latest search was prompted by the discovery of a foot lodged in a tree on Hospital Road on Wednesday and confirmed four people are still missing.

“We know they were on the scene. By information from eyewitnesses, we know they were here. Where they went, we are not sure,” he says.

Von Benecke explains they suspect the foot found in the tree belongs to one of the missing people.

Residents find it hard to accept

Residents chose to remain in their yards, while a few watched the search operation from their pavements.

Emotions ran high when one resident confronted the rescuers, complaining that his mother was in a state as the noise made by the helicopter reminded her of the explosion.

Another said her house will be a constant reminder of what happened that day.