EAST LONDON (SOUTH AFRICA), An explosion rocked a factory in the city of East London in southeastern South Africa, injuring at least 11 people, authorities said.

The explosion took place at one of the factories at the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) on Tuesday evening, Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said.

Those injured had been sent to hospital for treatment, Mqala said.

The explosion was believed to be caused by chemicals, according to a preliminary investigation.

“At this stage, it is suspected that the cause of the explosion is the chemicals that they (the injured) are working with at the factory,” Mqala said.

The ELIDZ confirmed that there had been an incident within one of their enterprises in the zone.

Investigators are currently trying to ascertain the cause and the extent of the damage, the ELIDZ said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK