Durban Chemical Spill: Damage to Stay for Years to Come, Says Minister Creecy
- Minister Barbara Creecy announced the findings of an inquiry into the United Phosphorus Limited chemical leak at Cornubia, north of Durban
- According to early investigation results, Creecy acknowledged that it would take years to recoup from the harm to the local ecology
- It was also revealed that the eThekwini Municipality had neither awarded the firm planning approval nor had the KZN government supplied an environmental license for the facility's establishment
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
DURBAN - Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Barbara Creecy on Sunday, 3 October, publicised the findings of the probe into the United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) chemical spill which occurred in Cornubia, north of Durban.
The environmental devastation happened during the civil unrest in July when the agrochemical warehouse was burnt. Creecy stated that according to initial investigations it would take years to recoup from the damage to the nearby ecosystem.
She described it as the most significant environmental disaster in recent times.
It was also unveiled that the eThekwini Municipality had not granted the company planning permission nor did the KwaZulu-Natal government give environmental authorization for the establishment of the facility meaning it was operating without the legal green light.
Source: Getty Images
PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!
Following reports by News24, the spillage was the result of the water used by firefighters to douse the flames but the run-off contained chemicals that made its way through communities, seeped into soil, rivers and polluted the ecosystem and beaches of Durban North.
About 13 000 tons of contaminated solids and 23.4 million litres of contaminated liquids have been removed during the cleanup.
According to eNCA, the report came as a shock to UPL which said it did not admit non-compliance with the law and was greatly aggrieved that Creecy had not consulted them before releasing the preliminary report findings.
Toxic chemicals from burned down warehouse reportedly poisoning Durban beaches and rivers after fire during unrest
Previously, Briefly News reported that a warehouse fire at United Phosphorus Limited in Durban during the unrest in July led to the spillage of toxic chemicals into Durban's rivers, beaches and the air.
According to East Coast Radio, United Phosphorus Limited is the largest chemical company in the world. It has been revealed that the company is refusing to disclose the exact chemicals that are currently polluting the environment.
The warehouse fire resulted in a huge explosion. This led to toxic smoke being released into the air and large amounts of undisclosed toxic chemicals being spilt into the oceans, rivers and beaches.
Source: Briefly News
