Community policing forums have just released a statement detailing that there has been an explosion on Bree St in Johannesburg Central on 19 July, 2023.
A statement by the Johannesburg North Joint Operations Committee (JOC) reads “we are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in JHB CBD possibly on the gas lines underground,”
No reports have confirmed the cause of the suspected blast yet, but the JOC suspect that it may have been caused by gas lines underground.
According to a live update published about the event on News24, officials are concerned whether gas lines have been switched off, if the explosion was indeed caused by gas.
These people clearly don’t realise the dangers of being near the gas explosion scene. pic.twitter.com/xtWQXz2ZKT
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 19, 2023
In footage and pictures posted by users in Bree St. at the time of the explosion, cars and minibuses can be seen overturned with windows shattered, and Bree and Simmonds St. roads have split open.
The public has been warned to steer clear of the area and emergency services are on the scene to treat scores of people who have sustained minor to moderate injuries, according to ER24 posted in an update to Twitter. Emergency services add that no fatal injuries have been reported yet.
[UPDATE] – Initial reports show that several people sustained minor to moderate injuries. No fatalities have been reported thus far. pic.twitter.com/M8NmYTzR65
— ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd. (@ER24EMS) July 19, 2023
According to reports by EWN, traffic is at a standstill in Joburg’s CBD and law enforcement are attempting to close off streets as vehicles are being diverted away from affected area.
Police and emergency services are searching for injured people in the area as darkness descends in Joburg’s CBD.
This is a developing story.
Feature Image: Twitter / @saxxaba
