A meteor illuminated the skies of Hermanus and its surrounds on Wednesday evening, with many residents of the small town reporting that they witnessed a massive streak of light flash across the sky between 8-8.30pm.
The light show was then followed by the sound of an explosion, which many likened to hearing a gas bottle explode.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) confirmed that it has received hundreds of reports of the sighting, as many social media users have questioned whether the sightings are a hoax. While no official statement has yet been issued by the organisation, Riana Steenekamp, media spokesperson for Overstrand Municipality, told The South African that she has been in contact with SANSA and that they have verified the event.
Granny lives in Hermanus. Houses / windows were shaking. Dogs barking. All neighbours out in the street after the explosion. #Meteorite ?
— Leigh Gabriels (@Thats_Loveleigh) January 16, 2019
I heard a loud bang, like a gas bottle exploding, but people saw it….. A flipping meteorite! pic.twitter.com/m4nHeRpLdb
— [email protected] (@dave_apter) January 16, 2019
Did anyone see the incandescent flash of light about 8:15pm over Cape Town? #meteorite #CapeTown
— Hesketh Tolson (@HeskethTolson) January 16, 2019
#Hermanus is not boring! Protest action, fire inferno and now a #meteorite ! My social media intelligence report tells me it broke in two.
— Päivi Brink ???? (@PaiviBrink) January 16, 2019
Picture: Twitter