/ 22 August 2000

TWO HURT IN AMMO DUMP EXPLOSION

TWO Defence Force employees are being treated for shrapnel wounds after a grass fire caused an explosion at an ammunition dump at the Generaal de la Rey training area near Potchefstroom, the SANDF said. Various ammunition types, including heavy calibre ammunition, mortars and small ammunition types, which were stored in the magazine, exploded due to the heat. The SANDF has enforced a safety perimeter of a kilometre around the magazine, and experts are to assess the damage and the safety in the area before clearing-up operations begin. The ammunition was outside the appropriate bunkers because it was to have been sent to other depots. A board of inquiry has been convened to investigate the incident.