Gas leak in South Africa leaves 17 dead

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – At least 17 people, including three children, have died after a toxic gas leak in South Africa.  The gas was leaked from a cylinder in an informal settlement near the city of Johannesburg

Authorities said the leak appears to be linked to illegal mining activities. As search and rescue operation is still ongoing, the death toll is expected to rise. 

Police say the three children who died were aged one, six, and 15. Officials say the deaths may have been caused by a gas cylinder used by illegal miners to process gold.

Emergency services spokesman William Ntladi said the deaths were caused by the inhalation of nitrate gas.

Illegal mining is a major problem in South Africa, and it is often linked to violence and death. 

A statement from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said it was a “devastating and tragic loss of innocent lives.”

In May, at least 31 illegal miners were believed to have died in a gas explosion in a disused mine in the city of Welkom. They died after leakage of methane gas, the mining department said