Suspected underground gas explosion rips open roads, flips cars in South Africa, injuring 9 people

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Authorities in South Africa say at least nine people were injured when a suspected underground gas explosion during evening rush hour ripped open roads and flipped more than 20 cars in Johannesburg. The nine were sent to the hospital with what authorities said were not life-threatening injuries. Others were being evacuated from the area at the site amid fears of a second explosion. There were also worries of multi-story buildings collapsing in a downtown part of Johannesburg that has become rundown and decrepit in parts over the years. Authorities estimated that an area covering five city blocks had been damaged.