KwaZulu-Natal: At 10H12 Wednesday morning, Netcare 911 responded to chemical exposure at a flat on Currie Road in Musgrave, Durban. Reports indicate that a family went to speak to family members as their phones were not being answered.
Upon the arrival of the family member, who entered the flat, two relatives were found unresponsive. The emergency services were immediately notified, who arrived on the scene within minutes.
On scene were the Ethekwini Fire and Rescue Services, SAPS Explosives Unit and Berea SAPS. It was established that an adjoining vacant flat had been fumigated using a white powder-like substance.
Firemen used an industrial fan to clear the toxic fumes. A Netcare 911 Rescue Technician with the Fire Department used self-contained breathing apparatus to enter the home unit, where they found an adult male and an adult female unresponsive in the bed.
Both patients were assessed, however, showed no signs of life and were sadly declared deceased. Circumstances leading up to the incident will be investigated by the relevant authorities.