President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern and sadness over the rising number of deaths caused by an explosion on Christmas eve. "Such events take on greater sadness and tragedy when they occur at this time of year when all of us pray for safety and look forward to the togetherness and comfort of extended time with family and friends. In this instance, the loss of life is rendered more intense because some of the victims were hospital patients, hospital staff and children, while firefighters are counted among the injured."

CAUTIOUS ON THE ROADS

Ramaphosa said pending the outcome of the investigation into the tragedy he urged people to remain cautious on the roads and keep safe as best as they can. The driver of the gas tanker  has since been arrested.The 32-year old man was arrested on Saturday evening whilst being treated in hospital. At the time of his arrest the driver was admitted for minor injuries at a private hospital following the fatal explosion. Reports state that the gas tanker truck  got stuck under a bridge and started leaking and  burning due to the friction and fire fighters were attending to it when it exploded.

MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CULPABLE HOMICIDE

According to SAPS spokeswoman Brigadier Brenda Muridili said  the case was opened to establish wether the driver was at fault or not. She said the driver charged with multiple counts of culpable homicide, negligent driving, negligent causing of an explosion resulting in death and malicious damage to property."The driver as well as several people who sustained injuries, including eight firefighters were taken to various hospitals for medical treatment. Thus far, 15 people are reported to have sustained fatal injuries including a 10-year-old boy. The full damage to infrastructure as well as private property will be communicated in due course. The incident scene is still being cleared.

IN COURT

The suspect will appear before the Boksburg Magistrates tomorrow." Gauteng SAPS police commissioner Elias Mawela said :"A negligent and reckless driving case had to be opened against the driver so that we can establish whether the driver was at fault. For now we cannot say whether he was negligent or not. On the damaged property, we  opened a case of malicious damage to property so that we can establish who is responsible, whether it was intentional, and so forth," Mawela said.The explosion affected the Tambo Memorial Hospital casualty ward, two houses  and two vehicles. Reports suggest that the mother of a woman  and man had to be hospitalized when she learned that her children were badly  injured from the explosion. It is said that  her son has since passed on and her daughter and daughter in law are admitted in the intensive care unit and the mother who is diabetic has a health scare because of this. Meanwhile another mother lost her four children in the explosion, three teenagers and a 10 year old boy.