Over 50 people have been injured by an explosion at a Cape Town theme park.

According to police inspector, Daphne Dell, a chef in one of the restaurants at the Ratanga Junction theme park was giving tuition to about 70 people, when he smelt gas. He switched on a fan and this appears to have caused a spark which set off an explosion.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, most of them for treatment to burns and for smoke inhalation but others in a more serious condition.

The theme park, in Century City, was not open to the public at the time of the incident – being due to open next week ahead of the Christmas period – and there was no major damage to property.

Dell confirmed that the incident was being investigated by the local authorities but said it did not appear to be suspicious.