Illegal mining blamed for death of toddler, 16 others in Boksburg

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana were on site in the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, where 17 people have died from gas inhalation following a gas leak that occurred there last night.

Eight men, six women, and three children, one only a year old, succumbed to the poisonous fumes allegedly emanating from a nitrate oxide cylinder believed to be connected to illegal mining activities.

According to DEMS media liaison officer William Ntladi, they received a call just after 20:00 last night about what was initially thought to be a gas explosion.

“Upon arrival, it was ascertained that it was in fact a gas leakage from a cylinder in one of the yards,” he says.

“Sixteen people were taken to Tambo Memorial Hospital after the intervention of paramedics on the scene. Four were in a critical condition, 11 were in a serious but stable condition, and one patient was fully conscious.”

“SAPS and forensic investigators are on scene conducting preliminary investigations. It is alleged that the gas cylinder leaked. Information gathered on site suggests illegal mining activities were taking place from one of the shacks in Angelo,” says Ntladi.

“Nitrate gas is used as part of their extraction of gold from the area. A cylinder is believed to have leaked and caused the fatalities and injuries.”

It was confirmed by Lesufi this morning that there is a 17th victim who died, but it is not confirmed whether they are one one of the people who were hospitalised in critical condition.