Chemical spill at Pretoria East grocery store sends 7 to hospital

Seven people were hospitalised after a chemical spill at a Pretoria East Spar, with emergency teams rushing to evacuate the store.

October 21, 2025
Corné van Zyl Less than a minute
The Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit responds to the scene. Photo: Supplied

Seven people were hospitalised this morning after a hazardous chemical spill forced the evacuation of a Spar in Pretoria East.

Pretoria Rekord reports the Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit said the incident involved an insecticide containing organophosphate toxins, which caused multiple people to experience breathing difficulties and throat irritation.

Firefighters and medics rushed to the scene around 11:00 to treat seven affected patients and secure the area.

“On arrival, our team found seven patients in the parking area complaining about difficulty breathing and a burning feeling in their throats. Our team assisted the patients while also assisting with the evacuation of the shop.”

The owner or manager of the shop was not yet available for comment.

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October 21, 2025
Corné van Zyl Less than a minute

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Corné van Zyl

Corné van Zyl is a seasoned journalist and currently a senior reporter at Rekord, with a wealth of experience across various media platforms. She began her career after studying journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and first honed her skills at Media24. Corné’s career took her to Beeld, Sondag newspaper, and the South African Press Association (SAPA), where she built a strong foundation in news reporting. In her free time, Corné enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, embracing life and creating lasting memories with her loved ones.
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