[PICS] Two killed in explosion at Astron Energy refinery

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that two people died and six others were injured as a result of the explosion at the Astron Energy refinery in Cape Town on Thursday morning. 

SAPS said via social media that the explosion was under investigation. 

The explosion took place at the Milnerton-based refinery in the early hours of Thursday; the refinery is the third largest crude oil refinery in South Africa.

An explosion took place early on Thursday at the Astron Energy refinery in Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa's third largest crude-oil refinery. Photo: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA)

 Astron Energy spokesperson, Donna Fata, told African News Agency (ANA) that she could not share any information about the explosion at this early stage as assessments were still being done. The company would update the media in due course, she added. 

The company's media and communications adviser, Suzanne Pullinger, said via a brief statement that the explosion took place at approximately 4am.

"Astron Energy immediately activated its emergency response procedures and notified the relevant authorities," Pullinger said.

"The resultant fire has been contained and the plant is now stable. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all those on site and further information will be provided as soon as we have confirmed the details."

Photo: Henk Kruger/African News Agency (ANA)

The spokesperson for Cape Town's fire and rescue services, Jermaine Carelse, said that emergency services were still on the scene, and referred further comment to Astron Energy. 

The company is a leading fuel supplier in South Africa and has a network of Caltex-branded service stations. 

The refinery is located between residential communities in the Cape Town area. 

This is not the first explosion to occur at the refinery. In 2013, an explosion resulted in the death of a contractor and left another seriously injured after a scheduled shutdown took place for maintenance. 

At the time, ER24 media spokesperson Vanessa Jackson confirmed that the two contractors had been working in the chimney, when a blast took place.  

“Colleagues attempted to resuscitate the man who died on the scene, with paramedics taking over when they arrived.

"The other man suffered burns and was admitted to the Milnerton Mediclinic,” Jackson said at the time. 

African News Agency