Workers rescued from ship in Durban harbour

A total of six workers suffered breathing difficulties this evening after they were overcome by fumes while spray painting in the hull of ship at the Durban harbour.

The events leading to the incident is unclear, but ER24 as well as various other services including local fire and rescue personnel received a call out to the ship to assist. Upon arriving at the scene the paramedics were told that the workers had been overcome by the fumes and were trapped in some sort of tank.

Various rescue workers were sent into the tanks with specialised rescue and breathing equipment. One by one the workers were pulled from the tank. The last worker had fallen into a compartment within the tank. After three hours from receiving the initial call, rescue workers managed to carry the last worker from the ship to safety.

All of the workers were suffering from breathing difficulties and received supplemental oxygen and treatment prior to be transported to hospital by various ambulance services. The incident will be investigated by the appropriate authority.

- ER24