Gas cloud kills three in Cape
South African tragedy: Fire at sulphur stockpile left over from days of apartheid causes havoc in quiet community
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When a cloud of poisonous gas from a chemical plant fire rolled into a small South African town this weekend, killing three people and forcing the evacuation of thousands, the African National Congress of President Nelson Mandela saw apartheid as the real culprit behind the tragedy.
The fire that caused the disaster began in a field close to the town of Macassar late on Saturday. It quickly spread to the African Explosives and Chemical Industries (AECI) plant at nearby Somerset West, about 25 miles from Cape Town. Stored at the plant were 15,000 tons of sulphur, part of the former apartheid government's strategic stockpiles for its internationally boycotted military and civilian industries.
Almost immediately a cloud of dense, toxic smoke billowed over the area, forcing 2,500 people to flee in an assortment of cars, fire engines, police lorries and ambulances.
"We just saw a bundle of smoke coming over our place...we first thought it was just grass burning but then we smelt gas,'' David Ross, a Macassar resident, said after he was evacuated. ''Our eyes and noses were stinging and our chests were so tight. We had difficulty breathing."
At least 100 people were treated for smoke inhalation and later released. By yesterday afternoon the crisis was contained and people were allowed to return home.
Strong winds and quick action by Cape emergency services were credited with saving hundreds of lives, but the question was asked: why were dangerous chemicals stored so close to residential areas.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments