On 5 July 2023, a gas leak killed 17 people, including three children, in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.[1] Ten other people were hospitalised.[2]
| Date | 5 July 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Cause | Suspected nitric oxide gas leak linked to illegal gold mining |
| Deaths | 17 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 10 |
Incident
editSeventeen individuals, including women and children, died when suspected nitric oxide escaped from a gas cylinder that was being prepared for use in an illegal gold mining operation.[3] Ten others were hospitalized. Illegal gold miners, commonly referred to as "zama zamas", operate in abandoned mine shafts and use the empty gas cylinders, known as "phendukas", to process the stolen ore. The cylinders, often stolen, are first drained of gas, then cut open so that ore can be placed in them along with a steel ball which crushes the ore as the cylinder is rotated.[4][5]
The gas escaped within the densely populated Angelo shanty town in Boksburg. The victims were found within a radius of 100 meters (328 feet) from the leak.[6][7][8]
Response
editEmergency services, including forensic investigators and pathologists, and search and rescue services worked in the area to determine the casualties.[7] Emergency service officials expected to discover additional bodies. Twelve individuals underwent medical treatment, while one individual remained in critical condition.[8]
References
edit- ^ "At Least 16 Are Killed in Suspected Gas Leak in South Africa". The New York Times. 6 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ "The death toll from a South Africa gas leak blamed on illegal gold processing has risen to 17". Associated Press. 6 July 2023.
- ^ Majavu, Noxolo; Coetzee, Earl (6 July 2023). "Boksburg gas leak: What is nitric oxide and how does it affect the body?". City Press.
- ^ Singh, Orrin (7 July 2023). "Boksburg gas leak: Cylinder was stolen from local firm, says zama zama". 702.
- ^ Seleka, Ntwaagae (12 July 2023). "Boksburg gas leak: Zama zamas bid farewell to one of their own". News24.
- ^ "South Africa: Suspected gas leak leaves 16 dead". BBC News. 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b Sullivan, Helen (6 July 2023). "Johannesburg gas leak: At least 16 dead on outskirts of South African city". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
- ^ a b Maseko, Nomsa (5 July 2023). "South Africa: Suspected gas leak leaves 17 dead". BBC News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.