GAUTENG Premier Lesufi confirmed on Thursday that the death toll in the Boksburg gas tanker explosion has risen to 40.
““Today marks 20 days since the fateful day that caused untold anguish to the nation. It leaves me numb that since that last update we gave, we have since lost three additional lives bringing the number of the deceased from the terrible incident to 40. This number saddened us as we continue to work with the police to collate this information,” Lesufi said.
Lesufi said the Gauteng government has since appointed the police department under provincial police commissioner general Elias Mawela to be in charge of collecting statistics.
Through the record of the police, Lesufi said the provincial government is able to account for the record of each and every person who has passed on, including those remaining in hospital and those who have been buried or are in the process of being buried by their families
Addressing the media on Thursday, Lesufi said “there are no words to adequately convey our condolences to the families who now have to confront 2023 on something that they couldn’t foresee.”
“It will take time for the families to heal. We will work with families throughout this journey and further assist in whichever way we can as a government,” he said.
While five healthcare workers are still in hospital, so far 23 have been discharged.
The latest number of the death toll included 12 healthcare workers.
Lesufi said this number could change as new information from the health facilities emerge.
There were eight Ekurhuleni emergency personnel who were seriously injured.
Six have since been discharged while two remain in hospital.
The repairs for broken windows and doors at both the Tambo Memorial Hospital and the nurses’ home have been completed, but the casualty unit remained closed due to the extent of the damages.
The government was informed that some families of the victims have launched a class action lawsuit.
Lesufi said the government believes that it is within their rights.
“Government appreciates the support given by all including NGOs. We are aware that there are those families intending to bury their loved ones outside the country- the government will assist in coordinating with various embassies,” he said.
Lesufi urged the law enforcement agencies investigating the matter to do so with speed so that the government will be able to explain tol the families of the victims as to what really happened.
Meanwhile, Mawela said the driver of the truck is facing multiple charges including homicide, reckless driving and malicious damage to property.
“There is a possibility that an inquest might be opened into the Boksburg gas explosion, in that case we might see more charges added including a murder charge. But we will leave everything to the courts,” Mawela said.
INSIDE POLITICS
