South Africa Gas Explosion: No Nigerian casualty — Consul General

Amb. Andrew Idi, Nigeria’s Consul General to South Africa, says there were no Nigerian casualties during the underground gas explosions in Johannesburg last week.

An underground gas explosion rocked Bree and Rissik streets, known to be very busy and commercial streets in Johannesburg on July 19.

“I sent a team to visit the incident scene and they reported that none of our nationals was affected.

“To God be the glory, in spite of the extensive damage caused to the area and high level of traffic at that time. Reports so far received by the Consulate General said no Nigerian was a victim,’’ he said.

Idi said residents and businesses in the streets had been relocated because of the extensive damage caused by the underground explosion.

“The areas have been cordoned off completely. The government has commenced investigation on the site and they want to establish the integrity of physical structures in the affected areas before they will allow people to return to their houses.

“It’s only the expert team doing the investigation that is allowed in the areas,’’ he said.

Idi said reports from the South African government showed that one person died while 48 were wounded as a result of the underground explosion.

The envoy also said the Consulate is on top of the situation to ensure the safety of Nigerians living in the affected areas.