Two dead, others injured after being trapped in Joburg CBD manhole

Two contract workers have died, and three others were injured due to toxic fumes after getting stuck in a manhole in the city of Joburg.

It is understood the City of Joburg EMS responded to the emergency at the corner of Commissioner and Von Brandis Street in the Joburg CBD on Saturday.

Joburg Emergency Services carried out a daring rescue to free the trapped workers.

Spokesperson Nana Radebe said the deceased were overcome by fumes from a generator they were using underground.

“Five contract workers from Solid Management were stuck underground in a manhole while working. Three people were taken to medical facilities, and two died from fumes from the generator.”

She said the cause of the incident is being investigated.

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Joburg fire

Earlier,  the Joburg EMS received a structural fire call at Springfield, near Booysens in the early hours on Saturday morning.

Radebe said the cause of the fire is being investigated.

“On arrival, firefighter crews found the chemical factory well  alight. Six fire engines are on scene, still battling the raging flames, and fortunately, no casualties reported,” Radebe said.

Tanker fire

Earlier this week, the City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department battled a blaze on the N4 westbound highway just before the M17 in Pretoria North on Monday after a 38 000 litre diesel tanker caught fire.

It is understood the tanker caught fire just before 10am on Monday and was totally gutted.

The N4 highway was closed and traffic rerouted as firefighters battled the blaze.

Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni later confirmed the fire was extinguished and clean-up operations were underway.

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