ROAD BLAST Horror moment road EXPLODES in Johannesburg sending buses flying as mystery blast leaves one dead and dozens injured

THIS is the horrific moment a road in Johannesburg exploded in a mystery blast that left one dead and dozens injured.

Dramatic CCTV footage shows the powerful explosion in the South African Central Business District ripping through the road in seconds and sending cars and buses flying onto the pavement.

A huge hole has been left behind in the wake of the horrific explosion

The blast has torn through the road on Bree Street and left one person dead

The devastating blast that caused the tarmac to split in half, sparked chaos on Johannesburg Street, sending terrified pedestrians running for cover.

One man was captured narrowly avoiding potentially fatal injuries as he leapt away from a small coach crashing down beside him.

Tragically one person lost their life in the wake of the horrific explosion.

Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said: "(In the) early hours of this morning, we managed to recover a body of a male person on site where the explosion occurred."

Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Johannesburg's Gauteng province, told a media briefing that 48 people were injured.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the Bree Street disaster but citizens have been warned to avoid a cordoned-off half-a-mile area.

Surrounding buildings are also being assessed by experts for structural damage.

The blast occurred on a broad four-lane avenue used as a commuting artery by minibuses, bordered by high-rise buildings housing apartments and street-level stores.

The power of the blast saw some motorists stuck in their cars and dozens needed medical attention.

Some local residents have reported the smell of gas, leading to one theory the blast was a result of a leak.

However, Egoli Gas, which manages the source below the street, denied any sign of this.

In a tweet, it said: "It is unlikely that the explosion in Johannesburg CBD, Bree Street, was caused by a gas pipeline or leak. 

"Our network has experienced no pressure loss which indicates the gas pipelines are intact.

"Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted."

The area remained closed on Thursday.

Provincial police commissioner Elias Mawela said: "It's about keeping this scene sterile.

"Should we have a secondary explosion, then we may lose lives".

The road has been completely destroyed by the mystery incident

Some people had to be rescued from their cars as the tarmac blew up beneath them

The cause of the explosion is still unknown but some locals reported the smell of gas

One man has been killed and dozens left injuredC