ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY PROBES SOURCE OF CHEMICAL ODOUR IN UMBILO
EThekwini Municipality has launched an urgent investigation and intensified compliance checks following yesterday’s toxic fumes incident that affected learners and teachers at a school in Umbilo.
The Municipality’s Fire Services and Health teams, together with private ambulance services, responded within minutes and stabilised the scene.
The school was evacuated, and affected learners and teachers were transported to Wentworth Hospital for treatment.
No fatalities have been reported.
Preliminary on-scene investigations conducted by Fire and Environmental Health officials traced the odour by monitoring wind direction and conducting perimeter checks around the school.
Officials identified a company located in the vicinity where a container-cleaning operation involving ethyl acrylate was underway.
Fumes from the operation are alleged to have drifted towards the school under windy conditions.
The City is currently verifying the company’s compliance documentation and operating procedures and has initiated processes that may lead to legal action should any non-compliance be confirmed.
The Municipality’s Fire Regional Commander, Sibusiso Mkhulisi, said that once the alleged source was identified, the team immediately launched an intensive compliance investigation.
“We are conducting a full probe into the company’s practices, and if non-compliance is confirmed, we will act decisively with stricter legal measures,” he said.
Mkhulisi added that response teams remained on site until conditions stabilised and continued to work with the school to monitor the situation.
“Classes have resumed today following safety checks that confirmed the odour had dissipated,” said Mkhulisi.
The City is continuing with site inspections and environmental sampling across the surrounding industrial area and is fast-tracking any necessary enforcement measures, penalties or directives pending the outcome of the investigation.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
