Scores evacuated following building explosion and wall collapse in Doornfontein

Dozens of students have been evacuated from their residence following a wall collapse in Doornfontein on Monday.

The incident follows an explosion caused by what is believed to be a gas leak in a small utility room attached to the student accommodation near the Johannesburg CBD. Four people were injured by the impact of the blast and are receiving medical attention.

Safety teams are currently on-site conducting thorough assessments to determine the exact cause of the explosion and the structural integrity of the building.

Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku confirmed the evacuation process is underway:

"As you see, people are now moving out of this residence, others are students. We are now taking them all out until we are sure if it's a gas or something else happens here."

The building consists of more than 300 units, housing a large number of students. Joburg MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Jack Sekwaila stated that residents will only be allowed back into the premises once safety teams have fully secured the building and cleared it for occupation.

READ: Joburg officials eye gas leak after Doornfontein student residence explosion