At 09:20 the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre was informed by traders at the Paarden Eiland Flea Market concerning a chemical substance that has covered the parking area.
The emergency crews from the Fire & Rescue Services and the Disaster Risk Management Centre were dispatched to the scene without delay to investigate the incident.
Upon arrival it was established that the substances that was emitting through the maintenance manhole was originating from the Chevron pipeline transferring diesel from the Port of Cape Town to its refinery in Milnerton.
The management of Plant Protection and Emergency Services Divisions of Chevron were informed that has dispatched its crews to deal with the incident.
The pipeline was isolated by Chevron to mitigate any further environmental and health impact to the surrounding area.
Approximately 500 people that were traders and patrons had to be evacuated in the interest of public safety
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has issued a directive to Chevron to effect emergency repairs to the pipeline without delay in terms of the provisions of the National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 in order to:
· to take reasonable measures to prevent such pollution or degradation of the environment
· to minimize and rectify the pollution to the environment
· to provide the relevant organs of state with a detailed report regarding the extent of the incident; the possible impact the incident posed to the public and the environment; the amount of toxicity of substances or by-products released by the incident; and
· to take any steps as required to minimize the effect of the incident on public health and the environment to the relevant organs of state.
The contracted staff of Chevron is also deployed who are working with the City of Cape Town.
The area has been closed off to the general public and excavation is in progress in order to establish the cause of the pipe leak and to effect repairs under strict security provisions.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre will continually assess and manage the situation until the situation is resolved.
The traders may resume with dealing as from tomorrow [Sunday, 09 December 2012] at the Paarden Eiland Flea Market as only a small section will be prohibited for trading.
End
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
For operational enquiries: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
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