Lovers' tiff ends in grenade explosion

A lovers' tiff ended in tragedy when a live grenade blew up, killing one man.

The couple, from Ladysmith, South Africa, were arguing heatedly when the man pulled out an F1 Russian grenade and threatened to pull the pin.

The Natal Witness reports the grenade was dropped and exploded during a scuffle when a bystander, Mandla Patrick Sithole, intervened in the argument.

He died of extensive injuries at the scene. The man with the grenade lost part of his arm, another man lost a leg and the girlfriend was slightly injured by shrapnel.

Police are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and possessing illegal explosives.

The two injured men were reported as being in a serious condition in intensive care.