At least 24 people have died in South Africa due to a suspected gas leak, local media reported.

The state-owned broadcaster SABC said the incident happened in the district of Boksburg, near the city of Johannesburg.

A search operation was ongoing.

A spokesperson for the local disaster and emergency management services, William Ntladi, told SABC: “For now the number [of fatalities] is 24.

“Once the scene unfolds throughout the night we will come with exact numbers in terms of fatalities and in terms of the casualties that have been hospitalised.”

Mr Ntladi said women and children were believed to be among the dead.

Local reports said the incident could have been linked to suspected illegal mining activities, but Mr Ntladi said it was not yet known.

“Whether the illegal miners are among the deceased, that is not yet known,” Mr Ntladi said.