António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has expressed his profound sadness over the report that the explosion of a fuel tanker in South Africa claimed the lives of at least 34 people.
Numerous people were killed and injured in the explosion in Boksburg, a suburb of the country’s capital, Johannesburg, on Christmas Eve, which also reportedly destroyed homes and automobiles and severely damaged the roof of the emergency room at the Tambo Memorial hospital.
Initial reports put the death toll at around 27, but regional health authorities report that by the past weekend, it had increased to 34.
Last Friday, a memorial service was held in honor of the deceased.
According to news reports, the victims included nearly a dozen medical professionals and nearly two dozen members of the general public. The death toll may increase further due to the serious burn injuries caused by the incident.
Children were reportedly among those who perished.
“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,” he said in a statement issued by the office of the UN Spokesperson.
“Guterres wishes a full and fast recovery for those injured and the quick reconstruction of the damaged health infrastructure.”
The gas tanker reportedly collided with a low bridge’s underside before exploding, according to news reports.
Before being forced to flee as the roof collapsed, many of the victims were admitted to the hospital’s casualty unit.
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