Published by on

A large explosion rocked the Astron Energy refinery at about 4am on Thursday morning [July 2], leaving two people dead and six others injured. The plant is located in Milnerton and damage is reportedly visible on one of the units closest to the Plattekloof side.

“Astron Energy South Africa can confirm that an incident occurred at its Milnerton Refinery at approximately 4am on July 2, 2020. Astron Energy immediately activated its emergency response procedures and notified the relevant authorities. The resultant fire has been contained and all work on the plant has been suspended. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all those on-site and further information will provided as soon as we have confirmed the details,” Astron said in a statement.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed two people died in the explosion.
“Two people (man and woman) were killed and six other injured in an explosion at the Astron Oil Refinery in Milnerton in the early hours of Thursday, July 2, 2020 at approximately 4am. The cause of the explosion is still the subject of an investigation,” said in a Tweet.

Picture: Twitter/Yusuf Abramjee

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.