Table Mountain

2024 - 10 - 24

Hot Spots and New Links: Table Mountain's Wild Week!

Cape clawless otter - Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service - ecological significance of wetlands - Kommetjie-Noordhoek wetlands - lithium battery fire - Table Mountain - visitor safety - Wilderness Search and Rescue

A blazing fire forced hundreds to evacuate Table Mountain, while new wetland corridors aim to protect our natural wonders!

Last week was nothing short of eventful for the iconic Table Mountain National Park. A significant addition to the park saw the integration of two new properties, forming a vital 'missing link' that connects the central and southern areas of the park to the beautiful Kommetjie-Noordhoek wetlands. This expansion is a fantastic boost for conservation efforts, helping to support the local ecosystems and wildlife, including the adorable Cape clawless otter that has been spotted in the area.

However, amidst the excitement of progress, the park faced an emergency. On Thursday, a fire erupted at the lower cable station, putting around 400 visitors in a precarious situation. Luckily, Cape Town's heroic Fire and Rescue Service managed to swiftly contain the blaze, leading to a seamless evacuation of guests. No injuries were reported, thanks to the quick thinking and exceptional skills of the firefighting team. Investigations suggest that a potentially hazardous lithium battery might have sparked the flames, reminding us of the importance of safety when enjoying our natural attractions.

After the dust (or rather, smoke) settled, the park reopened to the public, inviting nature lovers to explore its stunning landscapes once again. The dramatic events on the mountain are a stark reminder of its unpredictable nature—where peace can quickly turn into chaos. Just as people were being rescued from the summit, the new wetland corridor was being celebrated for its potential to foster biodiversity and enhance natural beauty. Talk about swings and roundabouts in the wild!

In other exciting news, did you know that Table Mountain is one of the New7Wonders of Nature and is home to over 1,500 species of plants found nowhere else on Earth? Moreover, the newly linked wetlands are a critical habitat for a variety of wildlife, playing a vital role in the ecological balance. So while we keep our eyes on safety at the mountain, let’s also appreciate the glorious nature that surrounds us!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

'Missing link' corridor added to Table Mountain National Park, but ... (Daily Maverick)

Two properties have been added to join the centre and south of the park to form the Kommetjie-Noordhoek wetlands land chain.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "TimesLIVE"

400 evacuated as fire breaks out at Table Mountain cable car station (TimesLIVE)

A fire that broke out at the Table Mountain National Park cableway lower cable station on Thursday afternoon has been contained and guests and staff safely ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CapeTown ETC"

Approximately 400 stuck on Table Mountain as fire breaks out (CapeTown ETC)

Update: Firefighters have extinguished the fire and all visitors have safely been evacuated from the summit of Table Mountain. According to Wahida Parker, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Independent Online"

Firefighters tackle hazardous lithium fire at Table Mountain ... (Independent Online)

Cape Town firefighters demonstrated exceptional skill in tackling a hazardous lithium battery fire at the iconic Table Mountain Cableway station, ...

South Africa: 'Missing Link' Added to Table Mountain National Park (AllAfrica.com)

Two properties have been added to join the centre and south of the park to form the Kommetjie-Noordhoek wetlands land chain.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "African Insider"

'Missing link' added to Table Mountain National Park - African Insider (African Insider)

A Cape clawless otter on Long Beach, Kommetjie, one of many indigenous species in the Noordhoek wetlands section of the Table Mountain National Park.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "News24"

WATCH | Around 400 people being helped down Table Mountain ... (News24)

Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that the blaze at the lower cable station was put out after a bank of lithium ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "2oceansvibe News"

UPDATE: Fire At Table Mountain Cableway Leaves 400 People ... (2oceansvibe News)

UPDATED: The word is that the fire at the Lower Cable Car station might have been caused by a Lithium battery. According to reports, about 400 people are ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Independent Online"

Guests evacuated as fire erupts at Table Mountain National Park (Independent Online)

A fire at the Table Mountain National Park cableway lower station led to the safe evacuation of guests and staff, with no reported injuries.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

About 400 people evacuated from Table Mountain after cable station ... (Daily Maverick)

Firefighters on Thursday afternoon fought to contain a fire at the Table Mountain lower cableway station on Tafelberg Road, Cape Town, which left about 400 ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Independent Online"

City firefighters working to extinguish fire at lower cableway station (Independent Online)

The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service is attending to a fire at the lower cableway station on Tafelberg Road.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Daily Voice"

Table Mountain Cableway Station fire leaves 400 visitors stranded (The Daily Voice)

A fire at Table Mountain's lower cableway station left 400 visitors stranded, but quick action by firefighters ensured their safe return yesterday evening.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BusinessTech"

Table Mountain blaze, and famous South African actor faces fraud ... (BusinessTech)

Table Mountain Fire: At least 400 people were left stranded on Table Mountain on Thursday after a fire broke out at the lower cableway station.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Knysna-Plett Herald"

400 people rescued after fire breaks out at Table Mountain cableway (Knysna-Plett Herald)

NATIONAL NEWS - Around 400 people were safely rescued after a fire broke out at the Table Mountain lower cableway station on Tafelberg Road, Cape Town, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Eyewitness News"

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway operations suspended after ... (Eyewitness News)

Structural engineers will on Friday investigate the damage caused to the garage and the administration building after a bank of lithium batteries caught ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "TimesLIVE"

Biggest rescue on Table Mountain in 64 years after lithium battery ... (TimesLIVE)

A total of 75 people, including injured and exhausted tourists, were helped down a steep hiking trail.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Business Day"

Battery fire at Table Mountain cableway prompts rescue of 75 people (Business Day)

Wilderness Search and Rescue hiked up Platteklip Gorge trail to assist 75 tourists who decided to walk down the hiking trail after the fire.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Independent Online"

Table Mountain Cableway: Operations suspended after fire incident (Independent Online)

The fire, which occurred on Thursday, has halted cableway operations while damage assessments are conducted.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Eyewitness News"

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway operations suspended after ... (Eyewitness News)

Structural engineers will on Friday investigate the damage caused to the garage and the administration building after a bank of lithium batteries caught ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Getaway Magazine"

Table Mountain rescue operation 'biggest in 64 Years' (Getaway Magazine)

75 tourists were aided down the steep Platteklip Gorge trail on Thursday after a lithium battery fire halted the TMAC operation.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

Table Mountain cableway blaze sparks probe amid largest ... (Daily Maverick)

Cable car operations have been halted at Table Mountain after a blaze engulfed the lower cableway station, stranding 400 people and injuring one, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "News24"

Table Mountain cableway fire: Officials carry out 'biggest' rescue in ... (News24)

Rescue services officials carried out the "biggest Table Mountain rescue" in more than 60 years when hundreds of visitors were stranded on Thursday.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Good Things Guy"

A Massive Rescue From Table Mountain; 75 Tourists Helped! (Good Things Guy)

Table Mountain, South Africa (25 October 2024) — All boots were on the ground in Cape Town yesterday as part of what has been deemed the biggest Table Mountain ...

Explore the last week