- The Engen oil refinery in south Durban exploded this morning.
- Emergency services are currently on the scene trying to defuse the flames.
- The cause of the explosion is still not clear.
- The community around the area are still in shock and those who work at the refinery could not go to work.
Lobby groups like groundWork and SDCEA (South Durban Community Environmental Alliance) have previously called for the refinery to shut down. Coincidentally, the explosion occurs while PASA (Petroleum Agency of South Africa) is in Durban to visit the Merebank community on a number of issues.
Image credit: Bobby Peek
The Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) plans to be at the Merebank community Hall at 10am in a follow-up meeting in relation to fossil fuels exploration. One of the key concerns communities face is the lack of transparency in public access to documents such impact on people’s health and safety including emergency, disaster and contingency plans. And who will be liable for incidents, accidents and explosions that impact on people and the environment.
This is an unfolding story.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
