Firefighters battle chemical plant fire as ‘contaminated water’ spews out to sea (Video)
At Umdloti, a number of fish and crayfish have washed up dead - beachgoers and surfers are warned to stay out of the water owing to the contamination
A chemical plant at Cornubia, near Umhlanga, was set alight by looters on Tuesday, July 13 and continues to burn – and the sea along the North Coast is now bearing the brunt of this.
Firefighters are working to contain the fire and extinguish it however, run-off water and chemicals are spewing out to sea through stormwater drains in the area, polluting the ocean.
At Umdloti, a number of fish and crayfish have washed up dead – beachgoers and surfers are warned to stay out of the water.
Di Jones of the Dolphin Coast conservancy said run-off has spilled into the lagoon and estuary.
She said bathing had been banned at Umdloti, and urged people to refrain from entering the lagoon or estuary.
It is understood that the contamination area runs from Umhlanga Lagoon through to Umdloti.
Areas up further north need not panic about the contamination spreading for now owing to strong currents on the North Coast.
eThekwini Municipality is expected to provide input on the matter.
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