South Africa

Explosion at Eskom power station

10 October 2018 - 19:50 By Nico Gous
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
The explosion at unit five of Eskom’s Lethabo power station near Viljoensdrif in the Free State on October 10 2018
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.

“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.

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

“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)

READ MORE:

SA faces power cuts as 15 Eskom units are down - internal report

Fifteen units are down at nine South African power stations, taking more than 6,000 megawatts or 13 percent of Eskom's output off the national grid, ...
News
6 years ago

Eskom investigating cause of fire at Kusile power station

Eskom has confirmed that a fire broke out at the Kusile power station on Friday night but said it had been immediately extinguished by the station’s ...
News
6 years ago

Electricity supply to Joburg's north-east suburbs has stabilised: City Power

City Power says it has been able to stabilise electricity supply after the problems at the Sebenza sub-station in Kempton Park which resulted in load ...
News
6 years ago
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Most read

  1. Complainant in sexual harassment case against judge Mbenenge tells of threats, ... South Africa
  2. Guest house owner found guilty of two murders over gas leak in shower South Africa
  3. Prudential Authority imposes sanctions on Standard Bank South Africa
  4. Sandu raises alarm over casualties in DRC, demands immediate support for SA ... South Africa
  5. Court rules for changes to make SRD grant applications easier South Africa

Latest Videos

'GNU is meaningless'-Jacob Zuma
UK teen jailed for at least 52 years for Southport girls' murders | REUTERS