The N2 highway near Knysna is currently closed to traffic following a devastating incident involving a truck carrying explosives that caught fire in the early hours of Thursday morning, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The accident occurred at approximately 4am near the Belvidere turn-off, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals.
The Knysna Municipality says that the affected section of the road, from the Rheenendal turn-off to the Red Bridge turn-off, will remain closed ‘due to the complexities of the hazardous material recovery operation and the critical need for rapid response access.’
‘Knysna Municipality Emergency Services responded to a motor vehicle accident on the N2, at the western exit of Knysna in the vicinity of the Belvidere turn-off this morning.’
‘A truck carrying explosives had been involved in the accident and caught fire. Acting swiftly, Emergency Services managed to extinguish the fire.’
‘Sadly, the truck’s driver and passenger died at the scene from their injuries. A Provincial Emergency Response officer was hospitalized due to fume inhalation and is currently undergoing medical treatment,’ Knysna Municipality stated.
Western Cape Mobility Department spokesperson Muneera Allie provided further details, confirming that a heavy motor vehicle had overturned and subsequently ignited at around 4:20am.
‘Emergency response teams quickly arrived on the scene to address the fire and assist those involved, but unfortunately, the fatalities were confirmed shortly thereafter,’ Allie said.
While a stop-and-go traffic system has been implemented along the N2 in the surrounding area to manage vehicles, motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the vicinity until the area is cleared.
The municipality highlighted that the Joint Operations Centre remains operational, coordinating all aspects of the recovery and extraction process as teams work diligently to clear the scene.
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Picture: Knysna Municipality
