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Suspected gas leak leaves 16 dead in South Africa

Wednesday's leak has been linked to illegal gold mining in the area.

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by BRIAN ORUTA

News06 July 2023 - 04:00
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In Summary


  • • The victims - including women and children - died from gas inhalation at an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
South African police

A suspected nitrate oxide gas leak in South Africa has led to the deaths of 16 people, local officials say.

The victims - including women and children - died from gas inhalation at an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

Wednesday's leak has been linked to illegal gold mining in the area.

One of the gas cylinders was found leaking in Boksburg's densely populated Angelo shanty town.

Nitrate oxide gas is often used by illegal gold miners - known locally as zama zamas - to extract gold from soil stolen from abandoned mine shafts.

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