One missing after army ammo blasts

POTCHEFSTROOM -- One person was missing and several were injured when a grass fire caused the detonation of highly explosive ammunition at a SA National Defence Force base here yesterday afternoon, a defence force spokesman said.

Major Bafana Nxumalo said the fire spread across the General de la Rey training area and to a stockpile of ammunition in a magazine at the General Support Base (GSB).

GSB Potchefstroom members were preparing to send the ammunition to ammunition depots when the fire reached the magazine, Nxumalo said.

Of the 30 people present in the magazine, 29 were brought to safety without serious injuries.

A board of inquiry has been convened to investigate the incident. -- Sapa