Blast at Denel ammunition plant kills eight
Residents of Somerset West and Strand report feeling the effects of the blast
State-owned arms manufacturer Denel was rocked by an explosion that killed eight people at its Somerset West plant outside Cape Town on Monday. The cause of the explosion has not been ascertained, said Theo Layne, a spokesperson for the fire and rescue service. The factory produces explosives and propellants for civilian and military use in ammunition. Rheinmetall Denel Munition said in a statement that an explosion occurred at one of its buildings but it could not confirm whether there were any injuries or fatalities. “We are investigating the matter,” it said. According to Bloomberg, the blast was confirmed by two company officials with knowledge of the event who spoke on condition of anonymity. Kfm, a Cape Town-based radio station, reported a huge “fireball” over the plant. Rheinmetall Denel Munition, which specialises in the development, design and manufacture of large-and medium- calibre ammunition, is 51%-owned by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition of Germany and 49% by Denel, SA’s st...
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