Blast won't close Ratanga

2003-11-19 16:21

Anthea Jonathan

Cape Town - Of the 50 Ratanga Junction staff members injured in a gas blast, 31 have been discharged from hospital.

Spokesperson Maggie Rowley told News24 that by 15:15, 31 of the injured had been discharged and that they were receiving updates on the other injured regularly.

Staff were being trained in the kitchen that serves eight fast-food outlets when the explosion occurred at 09:45 on Wednesday morning.

Damage to the kitchen was minimal, with only a roof panel being dislodged and a black mark against the wall.

Rowley said this was the first incident of its kind since Ratanga Junction opened in December 1998.

The theme park, which can take up to 13 000 people at a time, is a major attraction for visitors to Cape Town. An average 6 000 people visit the park daily.

Rowley said that the blast had not affected the park's plans to open on Friday November 28.

"We are hoping that that most of the staff will be able to join us again for the opening, but we do have a contingency plan in place," said Rowley. The park plans to use the services of Fedics, an outsourced food and beverage provider for the park.

Ten thousand under-privileged and disabled children and adults have been invited to Ratanga Junction on Thursday November 27. Rowley said that the park considered it important to continue with opening plans, so that "the charities are not disappointed".

The cause of the blast is not known yet.

The department of manpower, as well as the gas supply company have sent investigators to visit the scene.

- News24