[ad_1]
Emergency services and firefighters had been on the scene since 7 a.m. Friday when the plant caught fire.
The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance demanded the closure of the refinery. Image: Riosha Kuar
JOHANNESBURG / DURBAN – Another patient was taken to hospital on Friday morning in KwaZulu-Natal after an explosion at an Engen refinery. It brought the total number of people receiving smoke inhalation treatment to seven.
Emergency services and firefighters were on the scene since 7 a.m. Friday when the plant caught fire.
The fire has now been contained, but there are reports that this was the second explosion at the same refinery this year alone.
The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance demanded the closure of the refinery because it presented safety risks, not only for workers, but also for the public.
Desmond D’sa of the alliance said: “We are seeking criminal charges against the interim city manager and the refinery. We will meet with another association this morning and tell them that. “
He said the alliance will file a criminal complaint against the refinery.
PHOTOS: Explosion of a motor refinery engulfed in flames and black and blue smoke
Engen issued a statement after the news, saying that the health, safety and well-being of its workers, the community and the environment remain the company’s top priority. He said he was cooperating fully with the explosion investigation.
But members of the Merebank community are angry at the company, especially given that the morning’s explosion was not the first at the refinery.
Frank Alexander, a member of the Merebank community, said Engen did not guarantee the safety of the communities near its refinery.
“We want a situation where community concerns are addressed, but I think at this point Engen has always put profit above human life.”
Alexander said this latest explosion took place at a time when the community was already taking legal action against Engen over health and safety concerns.
“There is a school near the refinery and this is what we call environmental apartheid, it is actually corporate terrorism that is happening and we have been subject to this for a long time. Engen must take responsibility ”.
Disaster management teams are assessing the scene after the explosion.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
