IN response to a frightening incident which saw more than 36 learners at Umbilo Secondary School impacted by a suspected gas leak in Wentworth yesterday (March 12), the eThekwini Municipality has launched an urgent investigation.

Also read: Wentworth gas leak: More than 36 learners treated

The situation unfolded unexpectedly during morning classes. Claudine Bernon, who heads the School Governing Body (SGB) at Umbilo Secondary School, said that a number of learners and teachers had severe breathing difficulties and experienced respiratory distress. The municipality’s fire services and health teams, together with private ambulance services, responded within minutes and stabilised the scene.

Preliminary investigation findings

Preliminary investigations commenced on site, with fire and environmental health officials methodically examining potential sources of the odour.

“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,” read a statement from the municipality.

Following these findings, the municipality launched a rigorous compliance investigation into the operations of the implicated company.

Also read: Secondary school evacuated over suspected gas leak in Wentworth

eThekwini Municipality’s response

Sibusiso Mkhulisi, the City’s Fire Regional Commander, said, “We are conducting a full probe into the company’s practises, and if non-compliance is confirmed, we will act decisively with stricter legal measures.”

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,” he said.

The City will be continuing with its 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.

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