November 22, 2024 17:41 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed during encounter with security forces in Sukma | Baba Siddique murder case: Arrested Akashdeep Gill used a labourer's hotspot to evade tracking, say police | Donald Trump picks 'smart and tough' Pam Bondi as new US Attorney General after Matt Gaetz withdraws | Canadian government denies media report that claims PM Modi knew of Khalistani leader Nijjar's killing | PM Modi bestowed Dominica's highest award at India-CARICOM Summit
UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ at deaths from South Africa gas tanker explosion
South Africa
Image: Unsplash/Clyde Thomas

UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ at deaths from South Africa gas tanker explosion

| @indiablooms | 03 Jan 2023, 03:43 pm

New York: The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed his deep sadness over the reported death of at least 34 people in South Africa, due to a fuel tanker explosion in a suburb of the capital, Johannesburg, on Christmas Eve.

The blast in Boksburg severely damaged the roof of the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital there, killing and injuring dozens while also reportedly destroying houses and cars.

Initial reports estimated around 27 deaths, but that figure had risen to 34 by the past weekend, according to regional health authorities. A memorial service for the dead was held last Friday.

News reports said the victims included nearly a dozen health workers, and almost two dozen members of the public, and due to serious injuries caused by burns, the death toll could rise still further. Children were reportedly among those who perished.

Condolences

“The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives from the explosion and to the people and the Government of South Africa”, said the statement issued by the office of the UN Spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General wishes a full and fast recovery for those injured and the quick reconstruction of the damaged health infrastructure."

According to news reports, the gas tanker struck the underside of a low bridge, before exploding.

Many of the victims were admitted to the hospital’s casualty unit, before having to be evacuated, ahead of the roof collapsing.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
Xi Jinping, Putin in Russia 22 Mar 2023, 02:56 pm
Related Videos