Cause of Middelburg blast still unknown

Residents got the shock of their life on Friday just after 11:00, when the explosion was felt throughout the whole town.

Directly after Middelburg Observer published it’s first article, residents responded on social media saying that they felt the blast from as far as 54 km out of town.

Speculations soon aired that the blast was caused by a supersonic aircraft which flew over town at the exact same moment the impact was felt. Residents also alleged that the blast came from Columbus Stainless, after smoke was seen rising from their plant.

Middelburg Observer spoke to Senior Manager of Health and Safety at Columbus Stainless, Mr Johan du Toit, who after a thorough inspection of all their sites, denied that they were responsible for the blast.

The management at Blackwattle Mine, Kego Resources, Solar Mining Services and MFC Samancor all denied that the blast took place at their premises.

Middelburg Observer then spoke to the Chairman of the Middelburg Aeroclub, Mr Jock Nel, after stories came to light that the blast was a supersonic boom.

Mr Nel expressly said that the blast was not caused by air traffic from the Middelburg Airweek, and further stated that the only aircraft in South Africa that can “get it right is a Gripen” and that they did not have any supersonic aircraft at the Airweek.

Meanwhile, residents remain convinced that the blast was caused by a sonic boom.

Jandré Oosthuizen told www.mobserver.co.za that he was watching television at home in Kanonkop, when he saw the sonic boom with his own eyes.

“I ran outside and when I looked up I felt the blast when a jet passed overhead. The jet appeared to have a ring-like cloud forming behind it.”

Another resident from Mineralia, Ms Jackie Truter, said that the bathroom windows to her home cracked from the blast.

Middelburg Observer also spoke to the Middelburg Fire Department, who acknowledged that they were not called out to any emergencies after the blast.