S. African Explosion
Sep 1, 2004

South Africa Gas Blast

Five workers have been killed and more than 100 injured in an explosion at a giant chemical plant in South Africa. Energy firm Sasol said routine work was being carried out at the plant in Secunda, 150km (93 miles) east of Johannesburg, when the blast happened. Thirty-two people had to be taken to hospital, and an investigation of the Wednesday morning explosion was being carried out, said the firm. The plant is the world's largest producer of coal-to-synthetic fuel. Some 500 people were carrying out routine maintenance at around 0940 local time (0740 GMT), when an apparent gas cloud exploded.