South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday joined his fellow compatriots in mourning the 18 people who have died following the explosion of gas cylinders on a truck in Johannesburg last week.
“The nation’s hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating incident,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “Such events take on greater sadness and tragedy when they occur at this time of the year when all of us pray for safety and look forward to the togetherness and comfort of extended time with family and friends.”
“In this instance, the loss of life is rendered more intense because some of the victims were hospital staff, hospital patients, and children — while firefighters are counted among the injured,” the president said.
Apart from the 18 people dead, there were several others injured and the accident caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure – particularly a hospital near where the incident occurred.
The truck driver had attempted to drive through a rail bridge underpass and got stuck underneath – leading to the explosion.
He has since been arrested and charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death and malicious damage to property.
“While we await the outcome of investigations into this tragedy, this incident does, like so many others, call on all of us to show due care and to avoid risk when we are out on our roads which we share as a public amenity,” Ramaphosa said.
NM/as/APA