An explosion close to the the Eastgate Shopping Center has killed at least two people in Johannesburg, South Africa. The blast occurred near a shop owned by Radovan Krejcir, according to reports.
Three people were injured, reported The Associated Press. One person reportedly lost their leg in the blast.
The blast specifically took place at a old and diamond exchange business near corner of Bradford and Nicol roads, reported News 24, which said the blast was caused by a bomb.
The shop, according to News 24, was owned by Radovan Krejcir--a businessman fighting extradition to the Czech Republic.
Two people who were killed in the explosion were associates of Krejcir.
“There is a confirmed explosion. As to what caused the explosion, it is unconfirmed for now,” said official William Ntladi. “It is confirmed now two people died on scene and three are critically injured. They have been taken to Bedford Gardens Hospital, and the other two with minor injuries.”
Preliminary reports suggest that it was a bomb blast.
A witness described the blast to Eyewitness News.
“I heard an explosion and a bit of the debris from the explosion hit my car as I was driving in. I then did a u-turn and drove back out to see what was going on. When I went past the offices you could see there had been an explosion 0 a couple of windows had been blown out,” the witness was quoted as saying.
Krejcir has been the target of assassination before, according to Eyewitness News, which said that someone used remote-controlled shotguns to try and kill him from behind.
Chief Superintendent of Ekurhuleni Police Wilfred Kgasago told AP that the blast Tuesday night targeted the Moneypoint located next to the Eastgate Mall. He did not elaborate further.
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