TAXI drivers, street vendors, and residents couldn't believe their ears when they heard a loud bang on Wednesday, 19th July.
This comes after a road collapsed between Bree and Rissik streets in the Joburg CBD.
Loyd Chipembere, a resident around Bree Street, said he was sitting with his family when they heard their building trembling.
"I thought the building would collapse on us.
"I rushed to the balcony and I couldn't believe it when I saw taxis nearly swallowed by the ground," Loyd said.
Another resident, Thandeka Moloi, said the incident took a toll on everyone.
"I saw people screaming, some running in different directions.
"This was a disaster, and I thought it was an earthquake. I'm glad our building didn't collapse," Thandeka said.
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Witness Swaneliso Mpisane said taxis were packed on each other, and the road collapsed.
He said when he looked at the street, he saw smoke coming from a manhole.
"The smoke was unbearable. This was a tragedy as some people were injured," Swaneliso said.
Briefing the media, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the situation was under control, and authorities were still trying to get answers from what happened.
"There are areas we are still trying to get specific answers, whether the gas came from our gas tunnels or any other source that we can't account for.
"The information we have at our disposal is that the situation is indeed bad," he said.
The premier said that nine people were injured and were taken to various hospitals.
