 | Baby admitted to hospital following sulphuric acid leak at Denel, WellingtonBaby admitted to hospital following sulphuric acid leak at Denel, Wellington
04 January 2018 | Press Releases |
Media Release
Baby admitted to hospital following sulphuric acid leak at Denel, Wellington
4 January 2018
Altogether 306 people residing within a 3km radius of the Rheinmetall Denel Munition outside Wellington in the Western Cape - including farmers and farmworkers - have been evacuated following a sulphuric acid leak earlier today (Thursday, 4 January 2018) at the munition. Those affected are being assessed medically, while a two-month-old baby had been admitted to Paarl Hospital.
Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire Safety and Disaster Management unit - working together with the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape Government, South African Police Service, Metro Ambulance and Rescue Service, a local volunteer group and other role-players - has set up a triage and assessment centre at the Wellington Town Hall where evacuees are being examined and provided with water and beverages.
According to sources, the leak from a container containing hazardous chemical liquid could not yet be stopped. Chemical gases are still being discharged slowly, although in smaller quantities than before and the situation is currently stable. The wind, which is also picking up at the moment, is expected to blow remaining fumes away from the town of Wellington to a mountainous area.
Anyone who suspects they might have been in contact with the acid or inhaled any of the fumes, should please see a doctor, or report to the assessment centre at the Wellington Town Hall for an examination.
Drakenstein Municipality’s emergency contact numbers for members of the public are:
Life-threatening Situations: 021 872 2323
Service Emergencies: 021 807 4500
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Issued by:
Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
For media enquiries, contact:
Riana Geldenhuys, Manager: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality, on
082 460 5554 or rianag@drakenstein.gov.za.
