South Africa: At least 16 dead in gas leak near Johannesburg

Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the head of Gauteng Province, confirmed the revised number of fatalities after a recount, as the previously reported figure stood at 24.

Lesufi expressed his visit to the scene and informed the media that investigations are underway to determine the specific type of gas involved.

“Together with the Executive Mayor, we are currently at the Boksburg gas leak scene. Our disaster teams are hard at work. At the appropriate moment, we will provide full details,” Lesufi wrote on Twitter.

The bodies were found scattered throughout the area, and the youngest victim was a one-year-old child.

Media in South Africa has speculated that the gas leak might be connected to illegal mining activities.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the leak, but they believe it may have been caused by a gas cylinder that was being used for illegal mining. (ILKHA)