- Joburg CBD explosion: Are you on the scene or have been affected by the explosion? Send us your photos, videos, etc. to feedback@news24.com
2m ago
City Power's Isaac Mangena tells eNCA that while they are still unclear about what happened, the utility's technicians were on their way to the scene to assess the electricity cables underground. Mangena says City Power's Bree Substation isn't far from the scene where some of the damage has been seen.
- Sheldon Morais
5m ago
Evening Joburg— Exec. Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda (@KabeloGwamanda) July 19, 2023
Following the explosion that happened this afternoon at Jhb CBD, which caused the road to partially collapse. I’ll be heading there this evening, to assess the damage.
Please take note of the following road closures:
Bree & Simmons
Bree & Harrison
Loveday street pic.twitter.com/GzV6viGGsH
5m ago
News24 journalist Ntwaagae Seleka is on Rissik Street.
This is his update: A paramedic at the scene says they have transported more than 10 people with serious to minor injuries to hospital. Some injured people are being attended to at the scene.
10m ago
Senior fire officials say they are satisfied that there is "no gas in the air".
- Sheldon Morais and Alex Patrick
11m ago
Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is also making his way to the scene. His spokesperson Mlimandlela Ndamase confirmed this, telling News24 that "We are on our way to the scene."
- Bongekile Macupe
14m ago
15m ago
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has confirmed to News24 that he "just entered the scene" of the explosion. He told News24 that he would not comment until he has been briefed.
- Bongekile Macupe
17m ago
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring confirmed to News24 on Wednesday night that scores of people sustained minor to moderate injuries following the suspected gas explosion in the Joburg CBD.
“Reports thus far show that no one had sustained any fatal injuries,” Meiring said.
- Iavan Pijoos
19m ago
Paramedics on the ground in Lilian Ngoyi Street, near Rissik Street, say firefighters there are more confident with the situation, at least in terms of fires breaking out, despite the smell of gas lingering in the air.
- Sheldon Morais and Alex Patrick
22m ago
Journalist Alex Patrick, driving through Constitutional Hill on her way to the scene, has spotted several government forensics vehicles heading to the scene.
- Sheldon Morais
25m ago
Mihlali Ntsabo is on Lillian Ngoyi Street. Law enforcement officials there have told him part of the road has sunk in.
People around the area are being steered away from the damage. It is unclear if any buildings in this vicinity where Ntsabo is have been damaged. However, he can see damaged vehicles.
- Sheldon Morais
30m ago
Paramedics whose teams responded to the emergency have described the scene as a “red zone”, saying they asked their paramedics who reported to the scene to stand down.
- Sheldon Morais and Iavan Pijoos
34m ago
A paramedic has told News24 journalist Alex Patrick that part of Bree Street has been closed off as emergency workers treat patients. There are ambulances at the scene.
- Sheldon Morais
37m ago
News24 audio journalist Mihlali Ntsabo is in the city centre. He is reporting that there is commotion at the scene. Darkness has fallen in Johannesburg so evacuations and rescue efforts may become that much harder.
- Sheldon Morais
39m ago
45m ago
Officials on the scene are concerned whether the gas lines have been switched off, if indeed it is a gas-fuelled blast.
- Sheldon Morais
46m ago
The first photos and images emerging show scenes unlike any many people have seen before. Roads are broken up, cars are lying on their sides with their windows shattered.
- Sheldon Morais
47m ago
A voice recording describing the incident details how the speaker believes the blast or disruption “started on Loveday Street” before spreading to Bree Street.
“Taxis have overturned and people are injured. What has happened here is really bad and I think the underground gas just exploded. Cars were flying in the air and some have fallen,” the woman speaking in the clip can be heard saying.
- Sheldon Morais
51m ago
19 July 2023 - 17h46— Road Angels Traffic Information (@Road_Angels_SA) July 19, 2023
We are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in Jhb CBD possibly on the gas lines underground.
At this time we request the public to *stay clear* of the area to allow emergency services to attend to the scene. pic.twitter.com/zL674bGidB
51m ago
51m ago
51m ago
51m ago
BREAKING | Massive explosion rocks Joburg CBD, leaving devastation in its wake
Authorities rushed to the Johannesburg Central Business District on Wednesday evening following reports of an explosion in Bree Street.
The city's emergency medical services confirmed an explosion but said they were not yet aware of any deaths.
"We are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in Jhb CBD possibly on the gas lines underground," the Johannesburg North Joint Operations Committee (JOC) said in a communique.
The JOC is made up of community policing forums for Alexandra, Bramley, Midrand, Sandringham and Sandton.
"At this time we request the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency services to attend to the scene. Videos showed huge cracks in the road and vehicles on their side.
- Cebelihle Bhengu and Jenna Verster