Govt to outline plans for Cornubia chemical spill
Government is expected on Friday to reveal what it's doing to deal with the toxic spill in Durban that is posing serious risks to people's health and the environment.
The spill is a result of a fire at a chemical plant in Cornubia that burned for days.
The UPL facility stored bulk supplies of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.
The blaze was started by looters last week.
Specialist teams arrived in the city on Thursday to assess the impact of the spill.
Some of the chemicals made their way into the Umhlanga Lagoon.
READ: Wear a mask and stay indoors, says toxicologist amid acrid smell in Cornubia
The spillage is believed to be responsible for dozens of fish and other marine life washing up dead in the past week.
An environmental activist says some residents have also been complaining about various ailments recently.
Desmond D'Sa of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance says he's concerned about the health of people, especially those with pre-existing conditions.
READ: Dead fish, choking smoke: Collateral damage piles up from burnt Durban factory
D'sa says they've been doing inspections following the spill.
"I have been out to the area. I have walked around in Estuary. I have spoken to people, lifesavers, surfers, fishers, so there has been a lot of people affected with respiratory organs. They are struggling to breathe.
"We found out that people complained about their eyes are itchy but more critically, they struggled with breathing.
"We don't know the full extent of it, the properties of these chemicals when they are burnt it changes from one chemical to another."
