Residents of Machadodorp in Mpumalanga were told to evacuate the town after a chlorine explosion last night.

According to VF+ Ward Councillor Frans Burger, a cylinder containing chlorine exploded, resulting in toxic gasses polluting the air.

“The Municipal Manager of Emakhazeni Local Municipality just told residents to evacuate their homes and drink milk,” Burger said.

A resident of Machadodorp’s downtown area, Manie le Roux, told Middelburg Observer that residents near the Elands River have been evacuated by the SAPS and that the Fire Department is at the scene.

“All of the residents in the area are sitting in their vehicles in the street.”

Messages that were shared on WhatsApp last night have confirmed that the gasses have spread across town. A widespread panic took hold of residents who further commented on WhatsApp groups to keep doors and windows closed and to drink milk.

Comment from the Emakhazeni Municipality was not immediately obtained.