Explosion at Eskom power station

10 October 2018 - 19:50 By Nico Gous

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The explosion at unit five of Eskom’s Lethabo power station near Viljoensdrif in the Free State on October 10 2018
Image: Supplied

Eskom employees have been injured in an explosion at its Lethabo power station near Viljoensdrif in the Free State on Wednesday.

Eskom confirmed it is investigating what it called a “major incident” at unit five of the power station.

#ESKOMMEDIASTATEMENT

Tuesday, 09 October 2018: Eskom is investigating a major incident that took place at Unit 5 of the Lethabo power station this afternoon.

More information to follow as details become clearer.

ENDS
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 10, 2018

“We can confirm that there are injuries but cannot confirm further details at this stage. Management's first priority is to ensure the safety of all staff on site‚” the power utility tweeted.

We can confirm that there are injuries but cannot confirm further details at this stage. Management's first priority is to ensure the safety of all staff on site.
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 10, 2018

Energy expert Chris Yelland tweeted that a boiler had exploded after a generator tripped.

Eskom confirms at least 2 injured at Lethabo power station after a boiler explosion on Unit 5. @Eskom_SA wating for dust clouds to clear to enable more thorough search to see if there are further injuries.
— Chris Yelland (@chrisyelland) October 10, 2018

“Eskom confirms only Unit 5 at Lethabo is down after a generator trip followed by a loud boiler explosion. The other five units at Eskom’s Lethabo power station are still operating‚ but staff have been evacuated as much as possible as a precautionary measure. [The] situation is ‘calm’ at the moment.”

(https://twitter.com/chrisyelland/status/1050064382103879681)

Eskom confirms only Unit 5 at Lethabo is down after a generator trip followed by a loud boiler explosion. The other 5 units at @Eskom_SA's Lethabo PS are still operating, but staff have been evacuated as much as possible as a precautionary measure. Situation "calm" at the moment.
— Chris Yelland (@chrisyelland) October 10, 2018