Deaths after Denel blast

At least eight people were confirmed dead and several others missing following an explosion at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition depot in Somerset West near Cape Town late yesterday afternoon.

City of Cape Town fire chief Theo Layne confirmed eight people had now been declared dead in the explosion which occurred yesterday afternoon. Initial reports were that four people had died and six others missing.

Layne said: “Fire and Rescue responded at 3:45pm.” He said an explosion had occurred and staff of the factory was extinguishing the subsequent fire.

According to Layne, the cause of the explosion is unkown and 15 firefighters and three fire engines were at the incident. –ANA