Boksburg explosion: Some family members still desperately trying to locate loved ones

Yesterday’s morning memorial service for the victims of 24/12, the deadly Boksburg LPG blast on Christmas Eve, showed how many lives were affected.

And it was not for the better. It’s estimated that well over a thousand people gathered at the Boksburg Civic Centre to pay tribute to the 11 medical personnel and 23 civilians who lost their lives in the blast.

Increasing number of deaths

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla confirmed the rising number of deaths. A slideshow listed the names of the deceased and a ceremony saw Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell and other dignitaries light candles in remembrance of the victims.

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It was an emotional moment and a row of firefighters at the back of the hall struggled to hold back their tears.

Many rows of family members of victims endured a resuscitation of their pain during the proceedings. Their sadness could not be contained.

In his address, Phaahla noted the importance of mental health for both families of victims and the injured. Local councillor Simon Lapping, the first public representative on the blast scene, was visibly shaken.

Another councillor, Mary Goby, who stepped in to help victims at Tambo Memorial and led a mammoth relief effort with the local community, also attended in support.

Council whip Khetha Shandu said: “It has been extremely painful to hear stories of children who perished in the blast, families who lost their breadwinners, parents who lost their children and the thought of one family that almost entirely wiped out as they lost multiple family members in the tragedy.”

Memorial service proceedings

Hymns were sung by the Gauteng department of health choir, religious leaders delivered messages of sadness and hope, and the EMPD choir delivered a haunting performance of the national anthem.

It was a day, a week, that will remain imprinted on the memories of the many people that were affected. As the chief executive of Tambo Memorial Hospital, Zenzo Ndabula, said, it was a day that he would never forget.

He also paid tribute to the victims – many his colleagues. In her address, Campbell noted that while the loss of life was devastating, it was crucial to be mindful of the many injured people still in hospital, still fighting for their lives.

Campbell was joined by Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, provincial MEC for Health and Wellness, who replaced Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi on the programme and delivered the provincial tribute.

Another tribute was made by the acting head of department of the Gauteng department of health. The families of the victims were not included in the official programme.

Provincial chair of Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) Simphiwe Gada slipped in a reality check.

R18 million to repair hospital

He said the R18 million that was made available to repair Tambo Memorial Hospital, would hopefully be spent in the right manner.

He asked that funds made available to repair the hospital not be looted. As the death toll steadily climbs, some people still remain missing.

Missing family members

Community member Clayton Viljoen said some family members are still desperately trying to locate loved ones.

Viljoen, one of the first community members at the scene after the second blast, also commended Tambo Memorial hospital staff and said that there was a rush of staff that headed to ground zero, looking to help wherever they could right after the explosion.

He said a large number of people were saved through the hospital staff’s heroic actions. Other community members that relived the day lauded the hospital staff, too.

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