Residents of the St Francis area in the Eastern Cape were startled on Sunday morning by a loud bang, resembling an explosion, heard as far away as Plett and Knysna.
Witnesses near Oyster Bay reported seeing a flash of blue light in the sky, resembling a falling star, followed by the explosive sound.
A crew member from a whale boat in the area shared on social media that a meteorite appeared to crash into the sea approximately 200 meters from their vessel.
The crew member described seeing the meteorite impact the ocean, emitting a blue light, followed by six explosions and flashes before it sank.
One Facebook user said she heard it from Joubertina, “Oh wow, is that what it was. I’m in Joubertina and I heard what sounded like a sonic boom. It lasted quite long.”
NASA announced that five asteroids will pass near Earth between 27 August and 1 September 2024. Although all of these asteroids are confirmed to be harmless, they offer astronomers a valuable opportunity to study these near-Earth objects.
Many will be wondering whether this apparent meteorite was one of the five NASA predicted.
Authorities and experts are expected to provide more information as it becomes available.
Article written by Aiden Daries for Cape Town Etc.
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