Cape Town – The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety has confirmed that the R71 has been reopened after it was closed due to a gas tanker accident.
The tanker, carrying gas cylinders, crashed and caught fire, triggering multiple explosions that ignited the surrounding plantation.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the early hours of the morning on the R71 in the Magoebaskloof hills, between Polokwane and Tzaneen
According to reports, the truck’s brakes failed, causing it to crash into the roadside barriers.
The driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Tzaneen Medi-Clinic for treatment.
🔥 Gas Truck Explosion
Driver managed to flee to safety. He escaped with minor injuries and has been transported to hospital. Road remains closed to clear debris. Fire has been extinguished.
07h30#Livetraffic#SaNationalTrafficUpdates pic.twitter.com/Epcnf3dZ8Q— SA NATIONAL TRAFFIC UPDATES (@lnnocent191535) July 16, 2025
20250716. 01:00. Multiple explosions of unknown gas on a truck in Magoebaskloof pass above Magoebaskloof Ruskamp.
All emergency services were dispatched. MAGOEBASKLOOF PASS CLOSED TILL FURTHER NOTICE. USE ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.#LetabaFPA pic.twitter.com/Kq1a0Y4CIW— Letaba Fire (@LetabaFire) July 16, 2025
20250716 Magoebaskloof fire as seen from the sky. Fire started by gas bottles exploding when the truck lost control and crashed into the bank.#LetabaFPA #Magoebaskloof #Limpopo pic.twitter.com/YIHUNag0l3
— Letaba Fire (@LetabaFire) July 16, 2025
Picture: X/@musamathebulaa
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
