Kaya News Reporter
Netcare 911 confirmed that almost 40 children were hospitalised following a gas leak at a Richard’s Bay school this morning.
After several emergency calls were made, units were despatched to the Kwazulu-Natal school were several pupils and adults were collapsing and showing signs of distress.
This comes on the first day of public schools returning to daily learning after rotational learning was scrapped last week.
The incident occurred at Richardsbaai Hoërskool this morning and the precise number of patients who were treated have not been confirmed at this point.
Netcare 911’s Shaun Herbst said that symptoms included vomiting and nauseas, with the prominent symptom being difficulty breathing and people passing out.
According to reports the gas leak started at phosphate producer Foskor’s plant. The gas was allegedly ammonia which is a colourless but highly pungent and suffocating gas.
The Kwazulu-Natal Department of Education said they were aware of the incident and a team will be deployed to assess the situation.
Several other residents in the area have also reported that they smelled the gas.
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia could result in immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. Prolonged exposure to the gas can lead to blindness, lung damage and possibly death.
While there isn’t an antidote to ammonia poisoning, many people who are exposed to the gas make a full recovery.
This is a developing story and no casualties have been reported thus far.
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