Photo: Twitter / SAPS
Vukuzakhe High School: 127 pupils treated after exposure to mystery powder
Forensic experts are trying to understand what the substance and what its intended purpose was.
Photo: Twitter / SAPS
The police in KwaZulu-Natal have revealed that 127 pupils and teachers from Vukuzakhe High School, in Umlazi, were transported to various medical emergency centres after being exposed to a mysterious chemical powder.
What happened at Vukuzakhe High School?
The police responded to frantic calls from the school on Monday after what appeared to be a makeshift ball exploded, releasing a toxic substance that incapacitated pupils and teachers.
According to the police, the makeshift ball was brought into the school premises by a pupil who thought it was a ball.
#sapsKZN DBN #SAR this am @ Vukuzakhe High School in Umlazi where a chemical powder substance incapacitated scholars & staff . A learner brought the makeshift ball to school after he found it on the road. After the ball was kicked around, it tore apart & the substance emitted ME pic.twitter.com/HxbredgAst
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) July 16, 2019
“A learner brought the makeshift ball to school after he found it on the road,” the police revealed.
What’s contained in the mysterious chemical powder?
It is believed that, after showing the mysterious ball around to friends, the pupil kicked it around until it tore apart.
Unbeknownst to them, by tearing the mysterious makeshift ball, they had released an unknown gas substance that poisoned the air around them.
Teachers and pupils who were in the vicinity of the ball suffered strange symptoms.
According to Rescue Care paramedics spokesperson, Garrith Jamieson, who spoke to Times Live, those exposed to the unknown substance experienced itchy throats, burning eyes and shortness of breath.
The police revealed that at this point, they are unable to determine what the substance was, where it was found and what its intended purpose was.
One patient, in a critical condition, was resuscitated and flown to Ethekwini Heart Hospital. Six other patients were treated at Prince Mshyeni Hospital while 120 others were taken to a Umlazi local clinic for further treatment.
Provincial education spokesperson, Kwazi Mthethwa expressed relief that no deaths were reported and that the pupils and teachers were receiving treatment.
“We are aware of the incident. We are not sure what the cause of it is but we will be investigating. We are glad to hear the pupils are receiving medical attention. We will be looking into this because it is a serious matter,” Mthethwa said.
