The death toll of the gas tanker explosion on Christmas Eve in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni has now increased to 37, the Gauteng government has confirmed.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said he was informed on Wednesday about the 37 confirmed deaths, 12 healthcare workers of which 10 are government employees and two agency staff stationed at Tambo Memorial Hospital (TMH).
“The provincial government confirms that the number of TMH staff members who were injured during the incident is 35, and not 13, as previously communicated.
“The 35 injuries are inclusive of those that demised. The majority of the staff have been treated and discharged.
“Eight Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services personnel were injured during the explosion. Six have been discharged, while two have since been downgraded from intensive care to normal wards and are recovering well,” Lesufi said.
South Africans were left in shock after waking up on the morning of Christmas Eve to pictured and videos on social media capturing the moment a gas tanker caught fire after getting stuck under a low-lying bridge.
Minutes later, the truck exploded, killing several bystanders who had gathered around the scene.
Many others were injured, while property was damaged, including the hospital situated just metres away from the bridge.
Lesufi said some families have buried their loved ones while others will bury them next week and the coming week.
The national and provincial government have deployed officials to attend the funerals to provide support to the families who have lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
The Gauteng Department of Health is still monitoring other patients in various hospitals, according to the provincial government.
A memorial service will be held at the Boksburg Civic Centre on Friday.
Source: The Citizen, IOL, Eyewitness News, Times Live, Jacaranda FM, image from Twitter: @jacarandafm