Eskom explosion kills one, 18 injured

One person was killed and 18 others were injured in an explosion at the Lethabo power station near Vereeniging this afternoon, paramedics said.

A body of a man with severe burns was recovered by fire-fighters close to where a leak of sulphur gas was found and where the explosion had occurred, said ER24 spokeswoman, Vanessa Jackson.

About 18 other people were treated on scene and four of them sustained moderate burns to their hands and legs, while another complained of difficulty to breathe.

Jackson said paramedics suspected that the man with a breathing problem had sustained inhalation burns.

The rest of the patients sustained minor injuries and they were all taken to MediClinic in Vereeniging.

Jackson said according to the injured workers, they had noted a leak on one of the pipes in their section and when they tried to release sulphur gas, the explosion occurred.

Eskom spokesman, Andrew Etsinger said they were aware of the incident, but could not give details yet.