Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein

Date: 19 Feb 1896
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

One of the worst explosions in the history of South Africa occurred at Braamfontein station, Johannesburg, when an explosives train, carrying between 56 and 60 tons of dynamite, which had been standing for 3½ days in searing heat, was struck by a shunting train. The explosion left a crater, sixty meters long, fifty meters wide and eight meters deep and was heard 200 km away. The exact number of casualties was never ascertained, but at least sixty-two people were killed and more than 200 seriously injured. Some sources give the numbers as much higher. Surrounding suburbs as far as Fordsburg were partially destroyed. Some 3 000 people lost their homes and almost every window in the town was shattered.

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How we know this

01Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011168

South African History Online (2011) 'Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011168 (Accessed: 29 July 2026).

South African History Online, Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011168, (accessed 29 July 2026).

"Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011168. Accessed 29 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Dynamite explosion in Braamfontein." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011168.