Police: blast heard at World Cup media center was “controlled explosion” at factory

Police say blast heard at WCup site “controlled”

JOHANNESBURG — Police say a “controlled explosion” at an explosives factory was the source of a blast heard by journalists Sunday at the World Cup’s main media center.

South African Police Services spokesman Col. Eugene Opperman said the explosion was routine, and caused no injuries or damage. The noise could be heard in the media center at Soccer City, the main World Cup stadium in a gold-mining district on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

The South African Press Association said the factory was operated by Maxam Dantex in Roodeport and manufactures explosives for use in blasting at mines and quarries.

Brazil and Ivory Coast were to play at Soccer City on Sunday night.