Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
Nog 12 beseer toe werkers tenk skoonmaak
Chemiese voorval eis 3 op plaas
GEORGE, Suid-Kaap: Drie werkers is dood en 12 ander in die hospitaal opgeneem nadat hulle na bewering Dinsdag, 13 Oktober 2026 ,aan gifstowwe op ‘n plaas noord van Heroldsbaai, blootgestel is.
Volgens verslae was die plaaswerkers besig met skoonmaakwerk binne ‘n tenk wat ‘n mengsel van chemikalië, insluitend fosforsuur, bevat het. Verskeie werkers is oorweldig deur die stowwe, en ander wat hulle wou help, is ook daaraan blootgestel.
Drie mans is op die toneel oorlede. Uit die 12 wat na die hospitaal in George geneem is, is een ‘n ernstige, terwyl 11 vir geringe blootstelling behandel is.
Die Tuinroete-distriksmunisipaliteit (GRDM) het gesê sy brandweerpersoneel het chemiese absorbeermiddels aangewend om die gevaarlike vloeistof te neutraliseer, terwyl brandweerpersoneel van die George-munisipaliteit die oorledenes ontsmet het voordat die lyke verwyder is.
Na verwagting sal brandweerpersoneel op 14 Oktober terugkeer vir ‘n finale ronde van ontsmetting en sterilisasie.
Die uitvoerende burgemeester van die GRDM, Marais Kruger, het sy medelye betuig met die families, vriende en kollegas van die drie persone wat tragies hul lewens in die voorval verloor het.
“Ons dink ook aan die 12 persone wat beseer is, sowel as almal wat deur hierdie tragiese gebeurtenis geraak is.”
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) het ‘n geregtelike doodsondersoek na die sterftes ingestel.
Amptenare het gewaarsku dat chemiese dampe gevaarlik bly totdat volledige neutralisering plaasgevind het. Inwoners moet voorvalle wat met gevaarlike stowwe verband hou, by die GRDM se noodoproepsentrum aanmeld by 044 805 5071 of via WhatsApp by 081 709 5193.
12 also hospitalized as workers clean tank on farm
Three die in George chemical incident
GEORGE, Southern Cape: A chemical incident on a farm north of Herold’s Bay, George, has left three workers dead and twelve others hospitalized.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
According to reports, farm workers were engaged in cleaning operations inside a tank containing a mixture of chemicals, including phosphoric acid. Several workers were overcome by fumes, and others who rushed to assist were also affected.
Three men died at the scene. Twelve others were taken to hospital in George, with one in serious condition and eleven treated for minor exposure.
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) said its firefighters applied chemical absorbents to neutralize the hazardous liquid, while George Municipality firefighters decontaminated the deceased before removal by Forensic Pathology Services.
Firefighters are expected to return on 14 October for a final round of decontamination and disinfection.
GRDM Executive Mayor Marais Kruger expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the three people who tragically lost their lives in the chemical-related incident.
“Our thoughts are also with the twelve people who sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment, as well as everyone affected by this tragic event.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) have opened a judicial inquest into the deaths.
Officials have warned that chemical fumes remain dangerous until full neutralization. Residents should report hazardous material incidents to the GRDM Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071 or via WhatsApp on 081 709 5193.