By Everson Luhanga
At least 17 bodies – among them women and three children – have been found after a gas cylinder exploded at Angelo squatter camp in Boksburg in the city of Ekurhuleni.
Authorities are on the scene assessing the damage and the numbers could rise.
At least eight of the bodies have been identified as male adults, five females and three children.
William Tladi, Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management services spokesperson confirmed the numbers of dead, while others were being treated for injuries.
Tladi said most of the dead and injured are zama zamas who use nitrogen oxide gas cylinders to extract gold.
When the Scrolla.Africa team arrived on the scene, there was a huge presence of police officials and Emergency services.
The scene has been sealed of by the police’s forensic department to avoid contamination.
Masele Madihlaba, a member of the mayoral committee for human settlement in the city of Ekurhuleni, said the extent of damage is massive. “The scene is still fresh and we are going to speak to the victims.”
He said his Department is busy trying to relocate people from the Angelo squatter camp, which resembles a war zone.
“Our intention is to relieve congestion,” said Madihlaba.
Read Scrolla.Africa’s ZamaZama series, published in May 2021.
