According to the power company, five contractors were responding to a cable theft incident when the incident occurred.
Two city power contract workers have died and three more remain in hospital after becoming trapped in an underground tunnel in Johannesburg's CBD on Saturday.
The utility said five contractors were responding to a cable theft incident in a tunnel along Commissioner and Von Brandis streets in the city at the time of the incident.
rescue from manhole
“They began replacing and repairing the severed and stolen cables on Friday. Saturday was their second day on the scene.
“The first fatality was recorded earlier in the day when three other technicians were rescued and taken to hospital.
“Unfortunately, the last person trapped in the tunnel had died before being rescued.”
Emergency services in Johannesburg rescued the trapped worker from the manhole and recovered him.
City Power said it was investigating the cause and circumstances of the employee's entrapment.
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Months after the CBD tunnel fire
The tragedy comes months after underground cables caught fire and smoke spread across Johannesburg city centre.
The fire caused power outages in several parts of the city, causing anxiety among residents. No casualties were reported, officials said.
Emergency services closed the M1 motorway between Empire Road and the Crown interchange, and the entrance ramp near the tunnel remained closed until recently for repairs.
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When authorities first opened the tunnels, they encountered 200-degree heat that burned hair and destroyed skin.
Once inside, they found a cell phone and several tools, including a saw, cutter, and screwdriver.
As a result of the clean-up operation, it was discovered that 300 meters of copper cable had been stolen.
City Power security personnel then engaged in a gunfight with informal settlers who tried to steal the burnt cable.
Additional reporting by Fazel Patel
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