Local News
Methane explosion rocks Welkom─── 07:13 Sun, 22 Mar 2015
Welkom - A huge methane gas explosion at a mine shaft rocked Welkom at around 17:30 on Saturday afternoon.
A massive smoke cloud could be seen billowing above the CBD.
Emergency services say many houses in Jan Cilliers Park, Doorn and Sandania had their windows cracked, and ceilings, walls and toilets damaged.
Eye-witness Pieter Bronkhorst says the explosion was felt and heard as far as Riebeeckstad and Odendaalsrus.
Emergency worker, Riaan Stegmann, told OFM News that workers were busy with rehabilitation, throwing rubble into the shaft, when the explosion occurred.
Emergency worker, Riaan Stegmann, told OFM News that workers were busy with rehabilitation, throwing rubble into the shaft, when the explosion occurred.
Mediclinic Welkom's spokesperson Marissa Pawson confirmed that six patients were admitted to hospital.
The full extent of the damage is not known as yet.
The full extent of the damage is not known as yet.
Karien Jordaan and Edwin Ntshidi/OFM News
Pieter Bronkhorst:
