UPDATE: Durban naval base deaths caused by sewer pit methane exposure
Officials have offered their condolences.
A statement released by eThekwini Municipality on Facebook has confirmed that three construction workers and three SANDF members have died at Naval Base Station at about 11.30am today, 17 February.
The department of public works construction workers died while working in a sewer pit at Naval Base Durban.
“According to witnesses, the contract workers were working underground when they started encountering breathing problems. It has now been established that the members succumbed to a leaking methane gas in the pit,” read the statement.
“It is understood the three uniform members rushed to the pit to try and assist the public works members who were struggling to breathe underground.
Unfortunately, the SANDF members who responded to the call to save their countrymen were exposed to high levels of methane gas and also succumbed to the harmful gas.
The Military Police and SAPS are conducting an investigation to determine the cause of death.
The names of the deceased will be released once their families and next of kin have been informed.
The minister of defence and military veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, defence secretary Dr Sam Gulube and the chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke convey their heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased.”
Follow the updates as they happened:
BREAKING NEWS: People trapped in Durban Harbour container – reports
UPDATE: Six confirmed dead at Durban Naval Base
UPDATE: Three of six dead at Durban naval base were military
UPDATE: Durban naval base deaths caused by sewer pit methane exposure
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
