Share

Boksburg tanker explosion: Police arrest driver for culpable homicide after 15 confirmed dead

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
  • Police have arrested the driver of a gas tanker after it exploded in Boksburg, killing 15.
  • Three staff members - a driver and two nurses - from Tambo Memorial Hospital were among the dead. 
  • Health Minister Joe Phaahla and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko were at the hospital to assess the damage.

Police said on Sunday that the 32-year-old driver has been charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death, and malicious damage to property. 

Preliminary investigations suggest that the gas tanker got stuck trying to drive through a low bridge and impact resulted in the explosion, police say. The tanker was apparently travelling from Richards Bay to Botswana.

The driver had not been harmed in the incident. On Sunday Health Minister Joe Phaahla said: "The information, if true, knowing what he was carrying… he did anticipate trouble, and it was alleged that he actually tried to warn people to keep far [away]. That is the story one is getting."

Scores were injured during the incident on Saturday. Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old, have died. One family had lost four relatives in the incident. 

Phaahla said three staff members - a driver and two nurses - from Tambo Memorial Hospital were among the dead.

boksburg tanker explosion
A destroyed firetruck that attended the scene of a fuel tanker explosion.

An estimated 24 patients and 13 staff members were in the hospital's emergency unit at the time of the explosion and sustained severe burns. All of them were transferred to neighbouring hospitals.

The truck carrying liquified petroleum gas exploded after catching fire when it got stuck under a bridge about 100 metres from the hospital, News24 reported earlier on Sunday.

On Sunday, Phaahla and Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko were at the hospital to assess the infrastructure and medical equipment damaged as a result of the truck explosion.

He said major structural damage was reported at the accident scene, as well as at the emergency unit and x-ray departments of the hospital.



We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. 
Subscribe to News24
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What do you think about the SA government investigating Chinese online fashion retailer Shein over its business practices?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
It’s a waste of resources that should go to local trade
30% - 1204 votes
I think Shein is being unfairly targeted
10% - 417 votes
Dig up the dirt! We must look out for SA retailers
43% - 1745 votes
I don’t mind, as long as the customer doesn’t suffer
18% - 715 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.52
-0.6%
Rand - Pound
22.74
-1.6%
Rand - Euro
19.86
-0.8%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.44
-1.2%
Rand - Yen
0.14
-1.3%
Platinum
988.38
+2.1%
Palladium
1,411.23
-0.0%
Gold
1,978.75
-0.5%
Silver
22.54
-0.3%
Brent Crude
72.97
-2.4%
Top 40
68,799
+2.6%
All Share
74,271
+2.4%
Resource 10
65,660
+4.2%
Industrial 25
99,818
+2.8%
Financial 15
15,066
-0.3%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE