Eight workers have been killed after an explosion at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition near Somerset West in the Western Cape. The company manufactures ammunition for heavy weapons.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Theo Layne, says when rescue workers arrived on the scene, staff were putting out the subsequent fire in the factory.

Earlier, four persons were confirmed to have sustained fatal injuries, with firefighters searching for six others reported missing. Firefighters are currently carrying out search and rescue operations. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Currently 15 firefighters with three fire engines are at the incident.