Explosion rocks Chloorkop in Kempton Park

Yet another explosion has hit Gauteng. This time in Ekurhuleni.

It is understood the explosion happened on Friday morning.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson William Ntladi said one person was injured in the blast.

“On the 21 July 2023, at about 10:34am a 48kg gas cylinder containing ammonia exploded at warehouse/factory in Chloorkop. One adult male sustained minor injuries. He was transport to hospital. The cause of the incident is being investigated.”

Joburg explosion

It comes just days after an explosion in the Johannesburg CBD claimed one life and injured 48 others.

Thirty-seven vehicles, most of them taxis, were damaged during the explosion, which destroyed sections of Bree and Rissik streets.

Technicians believe the cause of the explosion was a collection of gases built up in the sewerage system, Joburg city manager Floyd Brink said at a media briefing on Thursday.

Brink said city engineers and specialists from Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), Johannesburg Water, City Power and representatives of eGoli Gas have been on the site to ascertain facts on the source of the explosion and the triggers.

ALSO READ: Another explosion rocks Johannesburg

Boksburg gas leak

Earlier this month, at least 17 people including women and children died after a gas cylinder containing nitrate oxide leaked at the Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said preliminary investigations revealed that the nitrate oxide was being used by illegal miners in the area to extrapolate what is perceived as gold from the soil in the informal settlement.

The mayor of Ekurhuleni, Sivuyile Ngodwana, extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

Ngodwana expressed concern over preliminary findings suggesting the nitrate oxide, which caused the lethal leak, was being used by illegal miners to extract gold from the settlement’s soil.

He called on both national and provincial governments to unite in a joint effort with the City of Ekurhuleni to curb “these perilous activities”.

ALSO READ: Joburg CBD explosion: The 3 possible causes identified by the City