More than 36 learners treated after gas leak at a school in KZN

Thirty-six and counting, that is the number of learners who struggled to breathe following a gas leak in Wentworth yesterday morning, which led to learners from Umbilo Secondary School being evacuated,reportsSouthlands Sun.Head of the school governing body (SGB) at Umbilo Secondary School, Claudine Bernon, says that anumber of learners and teachers had severe breathing difficultiesand experienced respiratory distress since the morning. According to Bernon, initial reports confirm that a gaseous substance infiltrated the school premises due to environmental impact. “Following the onset of symptoms, emergency services were called to the school, and subsequently, the school was evacuated to ensure the safety of all learners and staff.

Initially, between six and eight patients required further medical attention and were transported to local medical facilities, including Wentworth Hospital, for stabilisation,” she says. Bernon voices her worry about the area’s environmental safety. “It is completely unacceptable that our students are forced to choose between their education and their fundamental right to breathe clean air,” she states.

A reliable source confirms to theSouthlands Sunthat more than 36 learners were treated due to the incident. The source also confirmed that a number of learners are reportedly still going to get checked up. Spokesperson for ALS Paramedics Garrith Jamieson shares that when he arrived on the scene, the smell was still present.

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Upon arrival, paramedics found multiple learners experiencing respiratory distress. One learner is believed to have had some sort of seizure,” says Jamieson. Bernon says while they are grateful for the emergency intervention, they demand accountability from the industries surrounding the school.

“Our learners deserve a safe learning environment free from toxic exposure,” she says. The SGB expresses its gratitude to the emergency services and organisations, like the eThekwini Fire Department, ALS Paramedics, Emergency medical rescue services, the police, Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman, the south Durban community environmental alliance and the medical team at Wentworth Hospital, for their fast assistance. Bernon urges the public to rely strictly on official updates from school management as investigations take place. “We request that you do not listen to or spread unconfirmed reports or ‘fake news’ currently circulating within the community, as these often contain inaccurate information that can cause unnecessary panic,” she concludes.

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