Trapped in a Joburg CBD tunnel: Two City Power contractors dead, 3 hospitalised

Two City power contract workers have died and three more are in hospital after being trapped in an underground tunnel in the Johannesburg CBD on Saturday.

The power utility said the five contractors were responding to a case of cable theft in a tunnel along Commissioner and Von Brandis Street in the city when the incident happened.

Rescue via manhole

“They began replacing and repairing the cable cut and stolen on Friday. Saturday marked their second day on site.

“The first fatality was recorded earlier in the day when three other technicians were rescued and rushed to hospital.

“The last individual who was left trapped inside the tunnel had sadly lost his life by the time he was extracted.”

Johannesburg emergency services rescued and recovered the trapped workers via a manhole.

City Power said the cause and circumstances around the workers being trapped were being investigated.

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Months after CBD tunnel fire

The tragedy comes months after underground cables caught alight, sending smoke across Johannesburg‘s inner city.

The fire led to power outages in several parts of the city and alarmed residents. According to officials, no casualties or injuries were reported.

Emergency services closed the M1 highway between Empire Road and the Crown Interchange, while onramps near the tunnel were closed for repairs until recently.

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When authorities first opened the tunnel they were greeted by 200° heat, hot enough to burn your hair off and destroy your skin.

Once inside they found a cellphone and several tools, including a saw, cutter and screwdrivers.

Clean-up operations revealed that 300 metres of copper cable had been stolen.

City Power security also later exchanged gunfire with informal settlers who were attempting to steal the burnt cables.

Additional reporting by Faizel Patel

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