South African authorities probe coastal chemical spill in Durban

Record ID: 1627199

  • Title: South African authorities probe coastal chemical spill in Durban
  • Date: 17th July 2021
  • Summary: DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 17, 2021) (REUTERS) BIRDS AT LAGOON AFFECTED BY CHEMICAL SPILL DEAD FISH FLOATING AERIAL SHOT OF DEAD FISH FLOATING DEAD FISH FLOATING CLEANER HOLDING DEAD FISH AT SEA / CLEANER PASSING DEAD FISH TO COLLEAGUE DEAD FISH ON SHORE / CLEANER PICKING UP DEAD FISH VARIOUS OF CLEANERS REMOVING DEAD FISH AT SEA SHORE CLEANERS WALKING TOWARD SEA CLEANER HOLDING BAG OF DEAD FISH CLEANERS PICKING UP DEAD FISH AT SEA DEAD FISH BEING CARRIED AWAY BY WATER FLOW CLEANER THROWING BAD OF DEAD FISH ON SHORE KWAZULU NATAL HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, RAVI PILLAY SPEAKING AT SITE (SOUNDBITE)(English) KWAZULU NATAL HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, RAVI PILLAY, SAYING: "The cause of the fire unfortunately is been part of the week long carnage that we experienced in our province. Where I suppose they were misled into believing that there might be something of value." BURNT CHEMICAL FACTORY FIRE TRUCK / SMOKE BILLOWING FROM BURNT FACTORY DEBRIS / SMOKE BILLOWING CLEANERS REMOVING CHEMICALS FROM STREET SPILLED CHEMICALS BY SIDEWALK (SOUNDBITE)(English) KWAZULU NATAL HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, RAVI PILLAY, SAYING; "We have got some evidence of some limited impact on the marine life. Our team is satisfied that there is no impact on public health from this facility." VARIOUS OF CLEANER CARRYING BAGS OF DEAD FISH CLEANER PACKING BAGS WITH DEAD FISH IN A PICK UP TRUCK VIEW OF THE DURBAN BEACH
  • Embargoed: 31st July 2021 18:21
  • Keywords: South Africa chemical spill civil unrest environment pollution
  • Location: DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City: DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Africa,Pollution,Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EM8B7T3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: South African authorities in the port city of Durban said on Saturday (July 17) they were investigating a coastal chemical spill that may have been caused by a warehouse fire during unrest this week.
    Other possible sources are also being investigated as the cause of the spill, which is affecting marine and bird life, the eThekwini municipality said late on Friday (July 16), urging local residents not to use beaches in the area.
    Reuters reporters saw dead fish that had washed onshore on Saturday, as a clean-up company worked to mop up the spill.
    KwaZulu-Natal province's head of environmental affairs, Ravi Pillay, said water samples would be tested on Monday (July 19). "We have some evidence of some limited impact on marine life. Our team is satisfied that there is no impact on public health."
    President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday the unrest that ripped through several parts of the country in the past week was stabilizing and calm had been restored to most affected areas.
    Protests broke out after former President Jacob Zuma was jailed for failing to appear at a corruption inquiry and swiftly degenerated into looting and arson which has killed more than 200 people and destroyed hundreds of businesses.
    The municipality also said some residents were reporting smoke residue from burned chemical products. It advised people to close windows and doors and put wet cloths over vents until the smoke cleared.
    Pillay said air quality testing was being undertaken.
    (Production: Siyabonga Sishi)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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