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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The death toll of Zimbabweans who died when a tanker carrying 60 000 litres of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exploded in Boksburg, South Africa on Christmas eve has risen to six, after another person succumbed to injuries on Wednesday.
The tanker was stuck under a flyover before bursting into a ball of fire, killing 40 people including 12 health workers.
Five people remain in hospital while 23 people who were injured have recovered and discharged.
The latest death of a Zimbabwean, brings to six the number of who died in the disaster.
The victim also becomes the third person from one family to die from the gas explosion after two others had died earlier on and were buried at the Elsburg Cemetery in Boksburg on December 31.
Tragedy struck while the victims were at their family house, about 100 metres from the scene of explosion.
The effects of the fire were also felt at the Oliver Tambo Memorial Hospital, which is located close to the flyover, where 12 nurses who had just reported for duty were burnt to death in the hospital’s car park.
Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to Johannesburg, South Africa, Mrs Melody Chaurura confirmed that the number of Zimbabweans who died in the disaster had risen.
“We are saddened by the demise of fellow Zimbabwean. Today (Wednesday) we lost Chiredzi Vushendibaba, who succumbed to the injuries she incurred during the Boksburg explosion accident died this morning,” said the consul-general.
“Sadly, this brings to three; members of the Vushendibaba family who died in this tragic incident, following the burial of the father Thomas Vushendibaba (55) and his son, Nathaniel Vushendibaba (19).
“The total number of Zimbabwean nationals who perished in this blast has since risen to six, given the death of another female Zimbabwean national identified as Sthembiso Sibanda (35) from Matobo District.”
She said the Sibanda family had since communicated with the Consulate, their decision to repatriate Sthembiso’s remains to Zimbabwe for burial in Matobo.
The Consulate, she added, was assisting in all possible ways towards the repatriation of the deceased.
Media liaison officer for Emergency Services at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Mr William Ntladi told the journalists that the gas tanker drove under the subway bridge and got stuck in there, and due to friction, it caught alight.
Mrs Chaurura added that they had also received confirmation on the passing on of Zimbabweans in a mine incident in Burgersfort last Friday.
The quartet died along with three Mozambicans and a South African when a disused chrome mine shaft they were working in collapsed on them in the ga-Moroga village.
They died due to alleged suffocation when the mine shaft filled up with rainy water and collapsed. “We are working closely with the host government authorities towards the identification of the victims and tracing of the deceased’s relatives. Details of deceased will be shared once they have been established,” said the consul general.
Online Reporter