Electricity pylons are seen in front of the cooling towers at the Lethabo Thermal Power Station,an Eskom coal-burning power station near Sasolburg in the northern Free State province, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Home » Eskom Employee Dies in Major Explosion at Free State Power Station

Eskom Employee Dies in Major Explosion at Free State Power Station

Eskom has issued a media statement announcing the tragic death of one of its employees in Wednesday’s explosion at a plant in the Free State, South Africa. Eskom said: “It is a sad day as Eskom loses one life at its Lethabo power station.” The power utility said it is in the process of investigating […]

By SAPeople
10-10-18 21:58
in Eish!
Electricity pylons are seen in front of the cooling towers at the Lethabo Thermal Power Station,an Eskom coal-burning power station near Sasolburg in the northern Free State province, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Eskom has issued a media statement announcing the tragic death of one of its employees in Wednesday’s explosion at a plant in the Free State, South Africa.

Electricity pylons are seen in front of the cooling towers at the Lethabo Thermal Power Station,an Eskom coal-burning power station near Sasolburg in the northern Free State province, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Eskom said: “It is a sad day as Eskom loses one life at its Lethabo power station.”

The power utility said it is in the process of investigating the ‘major incident’ which took place late this afternoon – Wednesday 10 October – on Unit 5 of the Lethabo power station.

“Sadly, one employee is deceased while a second has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

“The next of kin are in the process of being informed. Our condolences go out to the family and friends and we pray for the recovery of our injured colleague,” said Eskom.

Emergency response teams have been activated and members of the South African
Police Service are on site.

Eskom said the Department of Labour has been notified and Eskom Executives are travelling to the site.

“As a result of the rupture of a main steam pipe, the unit is not operational. Operations
continue on the other units,” it said.