VIDEO: Egoli gas has issued a statement after reports of an underground gas line explosion on Bree Street in the JHB CBD

Egoli gas has issued a statement after reports of an underground gas line explosion on Bree Street in the JHB CBD.

At least five taxis overturned while motorists were trapped inside their cars following an explosion in the Joburg CBD on Wednesday.

The explosion, which caused fissures on the roads near the Bree Street Taxi Rank, is believed to have happened around 5pm when most people were getting ready to go home. 

According to a car guard, who works near the taxi rank, the loud explosion came from underground near the corner of Bree and Rissik streets. “Suddenly, I saw a taxi overturning because of the force of the blast. Some motorists became trapped inside their cars and we had to help them get out,” said the guard.

Another taxi was seen lying on its side on Joubert Street while other cars stood on the side of the road unable to move. 

Several videos of the mayhem were shared on social media. “Initial reports from the scene showed that several people had sustained minor to moderate injuries.

“The patients were treated for their injuries and later transported by various services to nearby hospitals.

“The exact details surrounding this incident are unknown, but the relevant authorities are on the scene for further investigations,” ER24 said.

ER24, City of Johannesburg EMS, Disaster Management and several other services responded following the reports of the underground gas explosion.

“On scene, medics and rescue personnel discovered several overturned vehicles along the road, which seemed to have been split wide open,” ER24 said in a statement.

“Medics set up a triage area a safe distance away while Fire and Disaster Services evacuated the general area.

VIDEO HERE