Boksburg tanker explosion death toll rises to 18

The Gauteng department of health has announced that the death toll from the gas tanker explosion in Boksburg has now risen to 18 people.

The first 10 succumbed to their injuries on Saturday after the tanker transporting gas got stuck under a bridge near Tambo Memorial Hospital and started leaking, resulting in an explosion that caused extensive damage to private and public infrastructure within an estimated 500 metres from the scene.

Eight more people who had sustained severe burns and injuries have since died as of Monday.

Of the 18 deceased people, nine are Tambo Memorial Hospital staff (consisting of 1 driver, 8 nurses).

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The department has called on affected families to visit the mortuary to identify their loved ones at the Germiston Forensic Pathology Services situated at 10 Long Street, Germiston, (behind SAPS Germiston).

Families can also contact make contact on 082 306 2887 which is a 24-hour line.

Documents to bring

• Original ID document of the family member coming to identify the deceased.
• No drivers’ licence are accepted in line with the Identification Act
• Original Identification Document of the deceased person is needed, or an abridged birth certificate where an ID is not available.
• If the deceased person is a child without an ID, a birth certificate is acceptable.
• An Abridged birth certificate for adults can be obtained from Home Affairs offices.
• If the deceased is a foreign national, a passport, an asylum seeker certificate, or a letter from the country of origin Embassy confirming who the deceased is and to whom the mortal remains should be handed over to.

Counselling services to families coming to identify their loved ones will be offered on site through registered counsellors.

Thirty-seven (37) people who were outside the wards and the hospital parking lot at the time of the explosion sustained severe burns and were diverted to neighbouring hospitals including Bertha Gxowa Hospital, Far East Rand Regional Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, Pholosong Hospital and LenMed.

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Members of the public who might want to report missing persons in relation to the Boksburg explosion can contact the Gauteng Provincial Government Service Delivery Hotline number on 0800 228 8227.

Boksburg driver arrested

On Sunday, police arrested the fuel tanker driver for culpable homicide.

According to Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the police traced and arrested the driver of the tanker at a private hospital, where he had been receiving medical care for minor injuries, on Saturday evening.

“The 32-year-old suspect has been charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death [Act 26 of 1956, Section 27 (2)] and malicious damage to property,” said Muridili.

The fuel tanker was allegedly driving from Richard’s Bay en route to Botswana.

READ MORE: Driver arrested for culpable homicide after fuel tanker explosion kills 15