A second explosion has rocked a Woolworths store in South Africa, this time in Bloemfontein, just a day after a similar incident occurred in Pretoria. The latest blast happened at the retailer’s outlet in Preller Square, in the northern suburbs of the city, on Friday morning.
Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli confirmed that the case has been handed over to the elite Hawks unit. “Our explosives unit is still busy at the scene, processing the entire area to determine whether there was a secondary explosion or another device that may have been stored or placed somewhere,” Kareli said.
Investigation Underway
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of shoppers and employees at Woolworths stores. While the shopping centre itself had reopened, the affected section of the Woolworths store remained sealed off. “For now, other parts of the mall are open to the public and workers,” Kareli added.
In a similar incident, at least five packers narrowly escaped injury during an explosion at Woolworths in Menlyn Mall, Pretoria, on Thursday. Tshwane police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the incident happened at about 1am while workers were busy stocking shelves. According to the South African Police Service, an unknown explosive device detonated on one of the store shelves.
Explosions Timeline
Here is a timeline of the explosions:
- Thursday, 1am: Explosion at Woolworths in Menlyn Mall, Pretoria
- Friday, morning: Explosion at Woolworths in Preller Square, Bloemfontein
The Hawks unit is investigating both incidents. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As the investigation continues, shoppers and employees are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
