Explosion at Woolworths in Menlyn Mall: Five packers escape injury.
Image: SUPPLIED
Five packers miraculously escaped injury when a device exploded on a shelf inside Woolworths at Menlyn Mall in Pretoria on Thursday.
Tshwane police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the incident happened at about 1am while the workers were busy stocking shelves.
He said no one was injured.
“Tshwane police have launched an investigation following an explosion incident reported at a Woolworths store situated at Menlyn Mall on Atterbury Road, Menlyn, during the early hours of Thursday morning," Van Dyk said.
He said the store manager was informed of the incident after receiving a call from staff on duty.
“According to preliminary information, the store manager received a telephone call from personnel stationed at the store informing him of an explosion that occurred inside the premises at approximately 1am,” he said.
Van Dyk said police were then called and arrived at the scene.
Police and emergency teams sealed off the store shortly afterwards.
“Emergency response services were activated and responded immediately and cordoned off the scene,” he said.
“It is alleged an unknown explosive device detonated on one of the store shelves.
“At the time of the incident, five packers were on duty inside the store.
"Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
"Damage sustained was limited to food items and shelving inside the store."
He said bomb disposal experts, K9 units, crime scene investigators, and detectives were at the scene.
According to pictures police had released of the aftermath, shelves had been bent and torn open.
A metal shelf panel had been punctured and ripped, with holes visible in the metal.
Boxes of cereal and other packaged food had been knocked onto the floor.
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Weet-Bix, and other boxes had been scattered among broken packaging and debris.
The aisle had been cordoned off with tape.
Shelves in other parts of the aisle had remained standing, while the affected section had been filled with fallen items and broken shelf pieces.
Van Dyk said a case has been opened under the Explosives Act.
“A case of contravention of the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956, Section 27(1)(c), has been registered for investigation,” he said.
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