The City of Johannesburg is conducting a thorough investigation into the recent gas explosion that occurred near Bree Taxi Rank, causing extensive damage to the city’s roads, injuring over 40 people, and tragically claiming one life.
Engineers point to three likely causes of deadly Johannesburg explosion
Engineers have identified three possible causes behind the devastating incident and are diligently working to determine the most likely explanation.
City manager Floyd Brink, during a recent media briefing, shed light on the three potential causes that engineers are examining.
Sewerage Entry into Underground Storm Water Systems
One possibility being considered is the entry of sewerage into the underground stormwater systems, leading to the ignition of methane gas. Such a combination could have created the conditions for a powerful explosion.
Mixing of Natural Gas and Oxygen in Underground Service Ducts
The second theory revolves around the possibility of natural gas mixing with oxygen in underground service ducts. This mixture could have resulted in a buildup of explosive levels of gas, leading to the blast.
Gas Pipe Burst
The third potential cause being investigated is a gas pipe burst. A rupture in the gas pipeline could have allowed gas to accumulate and eventually reach explosion concentration levels.
Focus on Accidental Leakages
City manager Floyd Brink highlighted that, at this stage, one of the potential causes stands out as more likely than the others.
Engineers are honing in on the concept of accidental leakages of natural gas into the service ducts, with the gas concentration reaching explosive levels of between 5% to 15%.
“At this stage only one of the above potential causes appear to be warranted, accidental leakages of natural into the service duct reaching explosion concentration levels of between 5% to 15%, and was ignited by a source unknown at this stage. The source of gas in the service duct is unknown. Investigations in this regard will continue to try locate the source over the next few days,” Brink explained.
However, the exact source of the gas in the service duct remains unknown.