Suspected gas explosion in Johannesburg rips open roads and flips cars during rush hour, injuring 9

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Authorities in South Africa say a suspected underground gas explosion during Johannesburg’s evening rush hour ripped open roads and flipped more than 20 cars in South Africa’s biggest city. At least nine people were sent to the hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life threatening. Others were evacuated from the area due to fears of a second explosion or buildings collapsing. Huge cracks and holes appeared in the middle of roads, some so big that vehicles slid down into them. The premier of Gauteng province says gas is suspected as the cause of Wednesday’s explosion but it’s not clear if it came from a leak in underground city pipes or from another source.