Authorities closes factory after explosion in Cape Town

The explosion that occurred at approximately 16:00 on Wednesday 13 February 2013 killed a technician [Martin O’Connor] that work on a compressor inside the Atlas Gardens Industrial Park at Contermanskloof after it exploded.

Saji Thekkemalayil Chandrasekharaan that hails from India that was working at the factory was airlifted and rushed to the Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital whereafter he later died of his injuries.

Two other persons Brandon Pretorius and Jean Rossouw that sustained serious injuries whose lower extremities were amputated are critical and remain in the intensive care unit at Milnerton Medi-Clinic.

Yesterday the scene was still close-off as the Forensic Pathology Service of the Western Cape Government: Department of Health was still clearing the area as body parts were scattered around.

The authorities regard this accident in a serious light and assembled a team of specialists from the City of Cape Town; Department of Labour and the South African Police Services to investigate the matter.

After the joint inspection that was conducted by the authorities yesterday a prohibition order was issued to the management that the facility will be shut-down.

The explosion also resulted in significance structural damages to the building caused by the impact of the explosion rendered by the building structural unsound. The City’s building inspectorate has issued a Section 12 Notice in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, Act 103 of 1977 that emergency repair work be undertaken making the area safe.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear and the factory can only be opened once the investigation is completed by the relevant authorities.

End

Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries:


Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Compressor and gas explosion kills 2 people – authorities probe investigation

At approximately 16:00 on Wednesday 13 February 2013 an explosion was reported at Atlas Gardens off Contermanskloof Road in Durbanville.

A private service provider, Comp Air, was contracted to conduct repair work on a compressor at Global Gases S.A. (Pty) Ltd. inside the Atlas Gardens industrial park.

Upon arrival of disaster response teams it was established that the windows of the factory had been blown out and sections of the corrugated iron roof had been ripped off after a compressor and gas cylinders exploded.

The technician, Martin O’Connor from Comp Air, that was conducting the repair work on a compressor sustained fatal injuries after the machinery exploded.

Saji Thekkemalayil Chandrasekharaan from Global Gases S.A. (Pty) Ltd. also sustained serious injuries lost one leg in the incident and was airlifted by ER24 helicopter to Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital. Whilst in hospital he succumbed of his injuries and was declared deceased. The Ports of Entry: Maritime & Aviation Ports Branch of the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that the Indian deceased holds a valid passport and work permit which was authorized to be in South Africa until 30 November 2015 whilst in the employ of Global Gases South Africa as a technical supervisor.

Brandon Pretorius another contractor from Marina Electro, also sustained serious injuries and his lower extremities (legs) were amputated. He was taken by the Skymed helicopter of AMS: SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service to the Milnerton Medi-Clinic. He is in a critical but stable condition.

Another seriously injured person, Jean Rossouw was treated and transported to Milnerton Medi-Clinic by ER24 personnel. He is in a serious but stable condition.

Brandon Pretorius and Jean Rossouw are currently in the intensive care unit at the Milnerton Medi-Clinic.

The inspectorate of the City’s Planning & Building Development has conducted an inspection after the explosion. It was determined that the building suffered structural damages and a notice was issued that emergency repair work to be undertaken with immediate effect to make the structure safe.

The cause relating to the tragic accident has not been established.

The City’s disaster response teams together with the Department of Labour and the South African Police Services has launched an investigation into the accident.

The High Commissioner of the Republic of India has been informed to notify the family of Saji Thekkemalayil Chandrasekharaan that is living in India that has lost his life in the freak accident.

End

Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Man dies in Cape Town gas factory blast

Cape Town - A man died and six people were injured in a blast at a Cape Town gas factory on Wednesday afternoon, the city's fire and rescue services said.

Spokesperson Theo Layne said a compressor exploded at the Global Gases building in Contermanskloof Road, Durbanville, just before 16:00.

The man who died had been called in to do maintenance on the compressor, he said.

One person lost both legs, while another lost one.

They were airlifted to hospital. Four others sustained minor injuries.

All except the maintenance man were employed at the factory.

Layne said a fire after the blast had burnt itself out.

The explosion blew out parts of the walls and the roof.

He said the building would have to be assessed for structural safety.

- SAPA/News24

Three killed in Pretoria gas explosion

Three people including a child were killed in a gas explosion at a house at Blouberg Street in Eersterust, Pretoria, Tshwane Fire and Emergency Management Services said.

A man and a woman were among those who were killed and one person sustained serious injuries, said spokesman Johan Pieterse.

The injured person was rushed to a local hospital.

"It appeared as if there was a gas leak in the house and something might have ignited it," said Pieterse.

The force of the explosion blew away 75 percent of the house's roof and one room was set alight.

The fire was extinguished and the investigations were handed over to the police.

- Times Live

Gas explosion levels building, injures 18 in Springfield, Massachusetts

(Reuters) - An explosion triggered by a gas leak destroyed a strip club in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, on Friday, injuring 18 people, although none seriously, authorities said.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said the building, a Scores Gentlemen's Club, exploded at about 5:25 p.m. as gas company workers, police officers and firefighters were responding to a leak in the area.

The 18 injured people included nine firefighters, four Columbia Gas of Massachusetts employees and two police officers, Sarno said.

"Through God's mercy, we are not aware of any fatalities," Sarno told reporters, adding none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.

The club had been evacuated before the explosion due to the gas leak, which may have saved the lives of patrons and employees who had been inside, said Thomas Walsh, a spokesman for the city.

Images on a local CBS affiliate showed buildings with shattered windows, debris scattered in the street, and emergency services entering the area.

Witnesses described to local media a massive explosion that shook the ground and produced a huge cloud of smoke. The explosion was powerful enough to be felt in neighboring towns, Sarno told reporters.

At least 15 to 20 buildings in Springfield's downtown section sustained extensive damage in the blast, including a six-story residential building where a number of units have been condemned due to damage from the explosion, Walsh said.

The city established an emergency shelter to accommodate residents displaced by the blast, Sarno said.

Officials said state and local investigators were trying to determine the cause of the gas leak and subsequent explosion.

Last year, Springfield was hit with a tornado that cut a path several blocks wide, ripping apart trees and damaging buildings. Springfield has a population of about 150,000 people.

- REUTERS

Man fighting for his life after Guy Fawkes

Cape Town - A 38-year-old man is fighting for his life in Tygerberg Hospital after being burnt by firecrackers in Mitchells Plain.

The man, whose family has asked that he remain unnamed, was admitted to Tygerberg Hospital with burns on 70 percent of his body. He was in a critical condition and being ventilated, Health Department spokesman Mark van der Heever said.

The man was one of seven people admitted to public hospitals after being injured by firecrackers on Guy Fawkes on Monday night.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said this year’s celebrations had not resulted in as many complaints as previous years.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA, however, said they were kept busy with scores of animals needing rescue.

Two children underwent surgery after fireworks exploded in their hands.

Margaret Cooke and her family were at Mnandi Beach, one of the city’s designated areas. She said she had turned her back for a second and her son Jezreel, 11, had lit a rocket which exploded in his hand.

They rushed him to the Mitchells Plain Day Hospital and he was transferred to the Red Cross Children’s War Memorial Hospital. Two fingers on his left hand were severely injured and he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

Nine-year-old Ashley Samuels, of New Tafelsig, was also admitted to Red Cross. He was at the Swartklip sports field to take part in the festivities when a rocket exploded in his hand. Paramedics treated him on the scene before transferring him to Red Cross.

Van der Heever said seven patients were admitted to Tygerberg Hospital and Red Cross with injuries they sustained while operating firecrackers.

Tygerberg Hospital admitted four patients, the critically injured 38-year-old man, an 11-year-old boy who underwent surgery on his left hand, and a 13-year-old boy injured in both eyes. An 11-year-old girl is in a stable condition after her right index finger was injured.

Smith said paramedics had treated three patients for burn wounds.

The SPCA’s Moyo Ndukwana said they had been inundated with calls from pet owners saying residents were setting off fireworks in residential areas.

Eight SPCA inspectors and two call centre controllers were on duty and received over 40 calls relating to fireworks on Monday night up until the early hours of on Tuesday morning.

“From these calls, seven animals in distress needed to be rescued, and a further six dogs and one kitten was admitted to the SPCA’s hospital in Grassy Park by members of the public,” Ndukwana said.

“The SPCA’s lost and found department received 43 calls from owners reporting their dogs missing or from people who found scared, lost dogs in areas such as Grassy Park, Lotus River, Muizenberg, Athlone, Brackenfell and Kraaifontein,” he said.


- Cape Argus/IOL

Two Men Injured In Gas Bottle Explosion

Two men have sustained serious injuries after a gas cylinder exploded at a restaurant in New Germany this afternoon.

ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene and found the two occupants outside of the building and been treated by the Pinetown Fire Department for their injuries. Paramedics took over the medical treatment and found they had sustained burns to their backs, arms, chest and face. Burns shields were placed on the patients and Advanced Life Support intervention was performed on the patients to help with the pain. They were transported to R K Khans Hospital for further medical care.

It is believed that the two men were changing the cylinder when the explosion occurred. The necessary authorities were on the scene and would investigate the incident further.

- ER24

Seven kids injured on Guy Fawkes night

Cape Town - Several children hurt by fireworks during Guy Fawkes celebrations were to undergo surgery for their injuries on Tuesday. Red Cross Children Hospital’s spokeswoman Lauren O’Connor May confirmed that three children were admitted with firework-related injuries.

The names of the children were not released.

“We admitted a nine-year-old with a severe injury to his right hand.

He has a fracture and will require surgery later on Tuesday.

Then there is an 11-year-old with a lesser injury, also to his hand. He will not require surgery. Finally, we admitted another nine-year-old with an injury to his mouth,” she said.

It is understood that the latter injury happened when the child put an unexploded cracker in his mouth. Doctors were to assess his condition later on Tuesday.

Tygerberg Hospital also admitted three children with firework-related injures.

They have been identified as Heinrich Jacobs, 11, of Somerset West; Nakiem February, 13, of Delft and Desline Lillistone, 11, of Elsies River.

Tygerberg Hospital spokeswoman Laticia Pienaar said one of the three children was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.

Theo Layne of the city’s Fire and Rescue services said he knew of three injuries at designated firework areas.

One of the injured children, 15-year-old Dylan White, was admitted to Milnerton Mediclinic after he was injured by an explosion on Table View Beach, said the hospital’s spokeswoman, Marize Botha.

Dylan is still in hospital, and he will be assessed to ascertain whether surgery is required.

Callers to radio talk shows complained that children were seen running around with fireworks and that authorities were not effectively regulating this.

Layne, however, said that Fire and Rescue, along with metro police, Law Enforcement and traffic officials, handled the crowds “impeccably” on Monday night.

“When you look at the sheer [number] of people and compare it to the number of injuries reported, I think that we can fairly say that last night (Monday night) was a success from a crowd management, law enforcement and safety point of view,” he said.

“It is inevitable that individuals in such large groups of people will at times act irresponsibly, even with authorities close by.

“There were instances of crackers being discharged between people, but in general I feel that we fulfilled our mandate.”

JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the city had effectively communicated safety tips and the details of the designated areas, adding that injuries are an annual “inevitability”.

Meanwhile, the city has confirmed that it confiscated about a ton of illegal fireworks in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Day.

“The Informal Trading Unit confiscated approximately a ton of fireworks from traders at traffic intersections and from persons selling at designated fireworks discharge locations along the False Bay coast,” said Shaun Smith, assistant chief at the city’s Law Enforcement Services.

“This is much more than last year, and we consider it to be the product and proof of a more concerted effort by our services in 2012,” said Smith.



- Cape Argus/IOL

Several dead in Riyadh truck explosion

At least 22 dead and 111 injured from explosion when truck carrying flammable liquids crashed in the Saudi capital.

At least 22 people were killed and another 111 injured when a truck carrying flammable liquids crashed in Riyadh causing a large explosion, Saudi state television said.

The truck exploded after it crashed into a concrete flyover in the Saudi capital on Thursday, said a civil defence official speaking to al-Akhbariya television.

An industrial building, several storeys high, was almost entirely destroyed by the blast while several nearby buildings were damaged, witness said.

"I was inside the building when the blast came. Then boom, the building collapsed. Furniture, chairs and cabinets blasted
into the room I was in," said survivor Kushnoo Akhtara, a 55-year-old Pakistani worker, who was covered in dirt and
bleeding from multiple cuts over his body.

"My brother is still inside under the rubble. There are lots of people in there."

Abdullah al-Saery, a witness who arrived on the scene soon after the explosion, said the desruction was “everywhere”, buildings, cars and a bridge were all destroyed..

"The number of those who lost their lives is definitely going to increase due to the huge explosion and the damage caused to buildings in the area," al-Saery told Al Jazeera.

The security official had said earlier that a traffic accident had occurred at a junction on Khurays Road, one of the city's main arteries.


Source:
Al Jazeera And Agencies

Explosion in Sudan on Wednesday, 24 October, 2012 at 04:52 (04:52 AM) UTC.

Fire raged and explosions tore through the night sky early on Wednesday at the Yarmouk military factory in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, witnesses and state-linked media said. "The authorities are controlling a fire in the El Yarmouk military manufacturing facility," the Sudanese Media Centre, which is close to the security apparatus, said in a brief alert. "It is a military factory," said one witness in the southern Khartoum neighbourhood who heard "big, big explosions." Several kilometres from the scene two or three fires flaring across a wide area, with heavy smoke and intermittent flashes of white light bursting above. "I hear explosions, and now a fire truck has gone inside and soldiers are guarding the area," another area resident said. Abdul Rahman Al-Khider, the governor of Khartoum state, told official media that an explosion occurred at midnight, followed by a fire. "Preliminary investigation says the explosion happened in a store room," he said, dismissing speculation that the blaze had been caused by "other reasons." Khider said some people were hospitalised because of smoke inhalation but he gave no numbers.

- RSOE EDIS

Johannesburg: Three prisoners die in blast

Johannesburg - Three prisoners were killed and 14 injured by an explosion in the truck transporting them, Gauteng police said on Monday.

One of the injured died later, taking the death toll to three, Brigadier Neville Malila said.

The prison truck was transporting 36 awaiting trial prisoners from the Randburg Magistrate's Court to Johannesburg Central Prison.

"When they arrived at the corner of Naturena and the Old Soweto Highway, the driver heard a big bang. He noted there was a hole in the door and saw two prisoners escape," Malila said.

eNews Channel Africa reported that one of the escaping prisoners was shot and wounded. Both were recaptured.

Four of the injured were critical while 10 sustained minor injuries. The remaining 19 were unhurt.

Forensic experts were combing the scene to determine the type of explosive device used.

Correctional services commissioner Tom Moyane said they were not ruling out the possibility of an inside job.

He was, however, satisfied that all security measures were in place when the prisoners were transported to the court.

He said once the prisoners were in the van, they were the responsibility of the police. The police also claimed to have had all their security measures in place.

Cases of murder, possession of explosives, and escape from lawful custody were being investigated.

- Sapa/IOL

Man ernstig beseer ná ontploffing

Johannesburg – 'n Man van Taung is ernstig beseer nadat 'n detonator in sy gesig ontplof het, het die polisie in die Noordwes Vrydag gesê.

Kapt. Tselane Nkala het gesê die veewagter het Donderdag 200 detonators in 'n Sasol-boks op 'n plaas naby die Brits-tolhek, langs die N4, gevind.

Die man het brandwonde aan sy gesig, bene en hande opgedoen en is na 'n hospitaal in Brits geneem.

Volgens 'n nota in die boks, was daar veronderstel om 400 detonators in te wees.

Die polisie ondersoek die saak.


- SAPA/Nuus24

SA pilots were sitting ducks - report

Johannesburg - A Johannesburg helicopter pilot quit a job in Kabul, Afghanistan, recently out of fear for his safety, according to a report on Wednesday.

Eight South Africans, who were working for a private aviation company, were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul on Tuesday.

“They were sitting ducks,” pilot Clint Buckman told The New Age newspaper.

He quit a similar job in Kabul “after a week” because he realised it was “too dangerous”.

But the job paid well, he said.

“The guys earn at least $850 (about R7 000) a day up there, but life is cheap and it is too dangerous to work there…

“We have to fly 500 feet above the ground while the American gunships cruise at the safe level of 5 000 feet,” said Buckman.

The helicopter pilots, engineers and operations personnel were ferried to and from the airport and were “sitting ducks for attacks”, he said.

“These pilots fly charter choppers with supplies, logistics and emergency supplies for various contractors in Afghanistan.”

- Sapa/IOL

Vlieënier ontkom toe hy plek in bussie opgee

KAAPSTAD. – ’n Kaapse vlieënier het die bomaanval gister in Kaboel ontsnap omdat hy sy plek in die gedoemde bussie vir iemand anders gegee het.

“Ons het ’n bom hier gehad, maar ek is oukei,” het David Relnic (31) van Durbanville gister omtrent 07:00 aan sy pa, Robert, oor die telefoon gesê.

Veel meer kon sy seun nie sê nie.

“Hy het gesê dat hy nie daaroor mag praat nie. Die voorval word nog ondersoek,” het Robert Relnic gesê.

Hy het gesê hy is dankbaar dat sy seun nog leef, maar is steeds senuweeagtig.

“Ek is steeds nie seker of David beseer is nie – hy wil nie veel sê nie. Hy is geweldig getraumatiseer, maar dit is te verstane aangesien hy gesien het hoe sy vriende opgeblaas word.”

Relnic jr., wat al twee jaar vir ACS Balmoral as vlieënier in die Midde-Ooste werk, het volgens EWN vir sy pa gesê hy voel skuldig oor wat met sy kollegas en vriende gebeur het.

Hy het volgens sy pa in ’n ander bus oorgeklim omdat die eerste te vol was – enkele minute voordat die selfmoordaanvaller teen die eerste bussie vasgejaag het.

David kom volgens sy pa volgende Saterdag terug huis toe.

- Volksblad

Mexican Tamaulipas state gas plant blast kills 26

The cause of the blaze has yet to be established, but illegal pipeline tapping has been blamed in earlier cases

An explosion followed by a fire at a gas plant in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas has killed 26 people.

Mexico's state oil company, Pemex, said the fire broke out at around lunchtime at its gas facility outside the city of Reynosa, near the border with the United States.

Pemex said 26 workers had died, 22 contractors and four company employees.

The cause of the blaze has not be established, but the company says the fire has now been extinguished.

The plant is located by a road linking the cities of Reynosa and Monterrey.

After the explosion, which occurred around 11:00 (16:00 GMT), the road was closed for hours as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the facility to try to control the situation and rescue the wounded.

Mexican troops have also been called in to help.

A similar accident occurred last week at a nearby plant owned by Pemex, injuring four workers.

Another Pemex gas plant in Tamaulipas state was hit by a fire on 13 August, but the company said no one was injured.

Correspondents say illegal tapping at pipelines in northern Mexico, usually carried out by criminal gangs, is the cause of many accidents at Pemex facilities.

- BBC

Condolences and Sympathies to the families and friends who lost loved one's in the Kabul attack this morning.

SAWDOS extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends who lost loved one's in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul this morning. 8 Innocent  South Africans died as a result. Crazy world we living in!!

 - SAWDOS

South Africa trying to contact families after Kabul blast

Forensic personnel cover a body at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Kabul September 18, 2012. Afghan insurgent group Hezb-e-Islami claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the suicide bomb attack on a minivan carrying foreign workers that killed 12 people saying it was retaliation for a film mocking the Prophet Mohammad. Image by: MOHAMMAD ISMAIL / REUTERS

South Africa's international relations and co-operation department has received the names of the eight South Africans killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan on Tuesday morning.

"We have received the names of the deceased and are working on establishing contact with families and next-of-kin," said spokesman Nelson Kgwete.

"They worked for a private aviation company operating in the country."

The SA High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, was informed on Tuesday morning that eight South Africans were killed in the attack.

Kgwete said the department expressed its condolences to the friends and families of the deceased and that they would be given assistance.

- TIMES LIVE

VIDEO: KABUL SUICIDE ATTACK

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT!!!

- ToloNews

Images: Afghan Suicide Bom - 8 South Africans Killed

Images: AFP (Click on images for larger view.)

South Africans killed in Kabul blast

Afghanistan police and officials investigate the site of a suicide attack in Kabul. A suicide bomber blew himself up alongside a minivan carrying foreigners on a major highway leading to the international airport in the Afghan capital. (Massoud Hossaini, AFP)

Pretoria - Eight South Africans died in a suicide bomb attack which killed 12 in Kabul in Afghanistan on Tuesday morning, the department of international relations and co-operation has confirmed.

"Our mission in Islamabad in Pakistan, which is also accredited in Afghanistan, has informed us that eight South Africans were among the dead in the explosion which occurred in Kabul early this morning," foreign affairs spokesperson Nelson Kgwete told AFP.

"They worked for a private aviation company," he added.

The group were all believed to be men, Kgwete said.

"Our mission in Islamabad is working on the identity of the men and contacting their next of kin."

Tuesday's attack by a woman suicide bomber was the deadliest single attack claimed to avenge a US film that has sparked a week of bloody protests across the Muslim world.

More than 30 people have now been killed in the violent backlash over a YouTube trailer for the film Innocence of Muslims.

- AFP/News24