2018 Denel explosion (Somerset West)

[Gordon_R]

I just heard (unconfirmed) first-hand reports of a large explosion in the direction of Somchem (explosives factory) at Macassar (near Somerset West) outside Cape Town.

Some activity online:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1036609308346273792

Edit:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1036630290343620608

Edit:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1036630183984476160

Edit: https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/...-somchem-plant-outside-somerset-west-20180903

An explosion at Denel's Somchem depot near Somerset West occurred on Monday afternoon, the City of Cape Town's fire and emergency services spokesperson said.

"There was an explosion at Somchem Denel," said spokesperson Theo Layne.

"Our vehicles have just arrived at the scene," he said.

According to its website, Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd was established on September 1, 2008 when the Denel divisions Somchem (Somerset West and Wellington sites), Swartklip, Boksburg and Naschem (Boskop site), became part of the Rheinmetall Defence Group.

The company became known as Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM).

More to follow.

 

[Mortymoose]

Is this not the old AECI grounds and was there not an explosion there before?

 

[Datura]

Is this not the old AECI grounds and was there not an explosion there before?

There's a blast from the past...

 

[Gordon_R]

News24 update:

Four persons are confirmed to have sustained fatal injuries and firefighters are currently carrying out search and rescue for a further six persons.

 

[Thor]

Anyone know the cause?

 

[Grep]

I was about 500 meters away when I saw it go off. The entire earth shook.

 

[daveza]

Earlier this year they had issues finding money to pay their staff - are they cutting safety corners ?

 

[Datura]

I was about 500 meters away when I saw it go off. The entire earth shook.

My girlfriend works near Somerset Mall and she said the entire office block shook for a bit.

 

[daveza]

UPDATE: 8 dead in Denel munitions factory blast

 

[ForceFate]

RIP and condolences

Tragic

 

[Captain Beer]

I live a few KM away and thought the windows were going to shatter.

 

[TheChamp]

RIP and condolences.

 

[WAslayer]

Wife's uncle used to work for Denel at that location.. He might still, she is not sure.. have not been in touch with him for a while..

 

[AchmatK]

I live a few KM away and thought the windows were going to shatter.

Same here

 

[AchmatK]

Just heard that one of the parents in my son's grade 2 class, was one of the fatalities.

 

[maumau]

Just heard that one of the parents in my son's grade 2 class, was one of the fatalities.

 

[The Voice]

HHH old boy here.

RIP to all who died in the accident.

 

[Solarion]

All that lovely depleted uranium dust in the atmosphere.

 

[The Voice]

All that lovely depleted uranium dust in the atmosphere.

If I recall they specialised in explosives used in mining. Didn't need to make holes THAT big.

 

[dunkyd]

Is this not the old AECI grounds and was there not an explosion there before?

Quite a few over the years.. my Uncle was the boss man from 50 ' s to 70 's.
Very lucky to die a natural death in fact.
Plenty of problems never made the papers.