SABC evacuated amid safety concerns

Wednesday morning saw a minor interruption broadcasting at some SABC radio stations after the building had to be evacuated for safety concerns.

https://twitter.com/Dopla101/status/1128590407196205056

Listeners, eyewitnesses, and social media users with inside info took to Twitter to share updates about the situation while trying to gather additional information about what was really happening.

Emergency evacuation at the SABC I think https://t.co/AVIufcHbOB

— 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓞𝓷𝓮 (@SharleneBotha_) May 15, 2019

https://twitter.com/Thabo_RSA/status/1128591279309430784

According to @ThaboModisane Executive Producer 😉 all radio stations are now on automation while everyone evacuates #SABC building #breakingnews

— NALA🦁 (@NalaDagada) May 15, 2019

https://twitter.com/NwabeeM/status/1128587121739087872

Radio 2000 host David Mashabela also tweeted an explanation to his listeners about the break in transmission before adding that contingency plans had been made.

We were requested to evacuate the building (SABC), radio park. apparently because of a diesel spillage, please stay tuned to @Radio2000ZA I’ve left you awesome back to back soul music.

— King David (@DavidMashabela) May 15, 2019

Another one of the station’s hosts also offered up her own experience as an explanation for the commotion.

So the lights abruptly went out while we were on air this morning at #SABC and now people are being evacuated from the building 🤷🏽‍♀️ #PhatJoeAndTheFamily @Radio2000ZA #breakingnews

— NALA🦁 (@NalaDagada) May 15, 2019

While many had suspected a bomb scare, it seems that there had been a diesel spillage from a generator that had malfunctioned following a power outage in the area.

Staff were then evacuated for safety reasons.

Apparently generator on or around that floor (16) leaking following the power-outage . Radio Park has about 29 floors so plausible to have generator's there besides basement. Again, this is not official from SABC but rather information I am getting from colleagues.

— Ngcweti Thabiso Sithole (@ThabisoSithole) May 15, 2019

When called for comment, SABC spokesperson Vuyo Mthembu was still getting briefed about the details surrounding the incident and promised to provide comment in due course.

Speaking to News24, Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst confirmed that 2 000 litres of diesel had leaked from a generator on the 15th floor according to information he had received from the scene and added that no fires had been reported at that point.

“Many people have been evacuated, but others are still trapped on the 17th floor. Our paramedics can’t get to them and they can’t come down because of the fumes. We are waiting for the fire department to assist,” he told the publication.

This is a developing story.

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