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.
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.
One of the gas cylinders was found leaking in Boksburg's densely populated Angelo shanty town.
The victims were found within a 100m (328ft) radius of the scene.
No one was taken to hospital, emergency service officials have told the BBC.
But they fear more bodies could be found overnight as search and rescue teams continue their work.
This tragedy comes just six months after a gas tanker explosion on Christmas eve which claimed 41 lives in the same town.
Latest Stories
-
“I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart,” Rangnick turns down Bayern
16 mins -
Failed asylum seeker given £3,000 to go to Rwanda
18 mins -
Nigerian gasoline prices soar as shortages worsen cost of living crisis
37 mins -
Paris 2024: We will win medal at Olympics if government invests more – GPC President
42 mins -
Akufo-Addo calls for protection of Ghana’s democratic reputation and identity
44 mins -
Apple working to fix alarming iPhone issue
45 mins -
‘You won’t win GPL title without your own stadium’ – Bashir Hayford tells Kotoko, Hearts
49 mins -
Ryan Garcia denies using performance-enhancing drugs after beating Devin Haney
1 hour -
We must change phenomenon of moneyed elections – Raymond Atuguba
1 hour -
Accra Lions punished us for not taking our chances – Hearts of Oak assistant coach Abdul Bashiru
1 hour -
Biosafety Authority welcomes court’s dismissal of application seeking injunction on approval of 14 GMOs
1 hour -
Adaklu-Tevikpo murder suspect arrested from hideout
1 hour -
Asante artefacts return: Reawakening of Asante’s Soul
1 hour -
ECG attributes May 1 dumsor to rainstorm
2 hours -
Armed robbers attack Mobile Money agent in broad daylight at Tumu
2 hours