Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation in the coming days regarding steps the government plan to take to alleviate the energy crisis. Image: Flickr

Cyril Ramaphosa mourns loss of life in tragic Boksburg tanker explosion

President Cyril Ramaphosa is mourning the loss of life in the Boksburg tanker explosion near the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital on Saturday.

Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation in the coming days regarding steps the government plan to take to alleviate the energy crisis. Image: Flickr

President Cyril Ramaphosa is mourning the loss of life in the Boksburg tanker explosion near the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital on Saturday, 24 December.

Ramaphosa said he is in mourning for the 18 people who lost their lives in the explosion, as well as the significant number of people who suffered injuries.

ALSO READ: Boksburg tanker explosion: Death toll increases to 18

The hospital and surrounding public infrastructure also suffered extensive damage.

Wished those injured a speedy recovery

In a statement on Tuesday morning, the president said his thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died in the incident.

He also wished those injured in the incident a speedy and full recovery.

ALSO READ: Boksburg explosion: Truck driver survives fatal and gruesome accident

“The nation’s hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating incident.

“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,” Cyril Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa added that some of the victims were hospital patients, hospital staff and children, while firefighters were also among the injured.

“While we await the outcome of investigations into this tragedy, this incident does, like so many others, call on all of us to show due care and to avoid risk when we are out on our roads which we share as a public amenity.”

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE RESCUE AND RECOVERY SERVICES

Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for the rescue and recovery efforts of government agencies and services and organisations such as Gift of the Givers for assisting following the explosion of the tanker.

Meanwhile, the truck driver has been arrested on suspicion of culpable homicide while the national and provincial health departments have assessed damage to the hospital.

ALSO READ: Boksburg tanker explosion: Driver arrested as death toll increases

The Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality has begun the process of relocating families whose homes were destroyed by the blast.

Ramaphosa added that they are taking all necessary actions to bring relief to persons affected by the incident.

“We draw inspiration in our own efforts from the demonstrations of ubuntu we see on the part of communities and community-based organisations,” Ramaphosa says.

“While these interventions bring us hope and light in our darkest hour, we must always live by the resolve to prevent such catastrophe from taking place in the first place.”