United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed «deep sadness» over the deaths of 34 civilians following a Christmas Eve tanker explosion in the South African town of Boskburg.
Guterres also expressed «condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast and to the people and Government of South Africa,» according to a UN statement.
«The secretary-general wishes a full and speedy recovery for the injured and the speedy reconstruction of the damaged health infrastructure,» the missive continues.
The latest death toll, released Friday, indicated that 34 people were killed by the explosion of a gas tanker, according to Health Ministry figures.
The truck exploded in the town of Boksburg (northwest), in the vicinity of Tambo Memorial Hospital. As a result, some thirty patients and thirteen staff members were initially seriously burned.
In fact, the Gauteng State Minister of Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, confirmed that a dozen health workers were among the dead.
The vehicle, which was carrying liquefied petroleum gas, allegedly got stuck due to over-gauging on a bridge near the hospital. At one point, the truck began to burn and exploded as six firefighters attempted to extinguish the flames.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
