Authorities are investigating a suspected gas leak at a school in Wentworth, south of Durban, after more than 20 pupils and a teacher experienced breathing difficulties and other medical symptoms.
Emergency services were called to the school on Major Culvert Street on Thursday morning after reports that several learners had fallen ill inside the building.
Paramedics from ALS Paramedics treated about 20 pupils and one teacher at the scene for minor to moderate symptoms, including breathing problems and panic attacks. One learner also reportedly suffered a seizure.
Six children were transported to hospital for further medical treatment.
According to ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson, emergency teams responded to multiple casualties.
“Paramedics are dealing with multiple patients who are experiencing breathing difficulties while advanced life support teams stabilise them at the scene,” Jamieson said.
He added that additional ambulances were dispatched to assist with transporting patients, while firefighters worked to secure the area and ensure the safety of emergency personnel.
The eThekwini Fire Department was also on site as part of the response.
More than 1,000 pupils attend the school. Learners and staff were evacuated from the premises, and the school was closed for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
Deputy chairperson of the student governing body Andre de Bruin described a chaotic scene when he arrived.
“There were children collapsing and crying it was total chaos,” he said.
De Bruin said there was a strong chemical-like smell inside the school building, which he described as similar to benzene and believed it was coming from one end of the premises.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the suspected gas leak.