Atleast 40 students were hospitalized at Richards Bay High School following a suspected gas leak from a local factory.
Shawn Herbst, a representative for Netcare 911, stated that its paramedics attended to the incident early yesterday morning.
“Netcare 911 was dispatched to a suspected gas inhalation at a school in Richards Bay, as well as homes in the surrounding region. According to reports from the scene, both children and adults experienced nausea, vomiting, and breathing issues, with many collapsing.
“An unknown gas was suspected to have been blown in the direction of the school and the surrounding neighborhood.”
The source of the gas is yet unknown.
Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu said the department’s district director had gone to the school to gather more information.
Most of the pupils were discharged from hospital later in the day, he said. “Of the 37 learners who were taken to hospital, 36 have been discharged.”
City of uMhlathuze Municipality spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said that assessments were being conducted to determine if the incident was caused by a gas leak.
“We cannot say it was a gas leak at this stage. We have our air quality team that will be conducting tests at the laboratory to determine if it was indeed a gas leak. This test will determine if the suspected gas is toxic or can make a person sick. It will also determine what effects it will have if a person inhales it.
“We can only determine this once tests have been completed. We will then issue a full statement on our findings.”
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