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South African Authorities Probe Coastal Chemical Spill in Durban

Reuters

   DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - South African authorities in the port city of
   Durban said Saturday they were investigating a coastal chemical spill
   that may have been caused by a warehouse fire during unrest this week.

   Other possible sources are also being investigated as the cause of the
   spill, which is affecting marine and bird life, the eThekwini
   municipality said late Friday, urging local residents not to use
   beaches in the area.

   "Extensive environmental impacts are being reported at uMhlanga and
   uMdhloti lagoons and beaches in the vicinity, that have killed numerous
   species of marine and bird life," the municipality said in a statement.

   "The pollution is considered serious and can affect one's health if
   species are collected and consumed. Lagoon and seawater contact must be
   avoided."

   Reuters reporters saw dead fish that had washed onshore on Saturday, as
   a clean-up company worked to mop up the spill.

   KwaZulu-Natal province's head of environmental affairs, Ravi Pillay,
   said water samples would be tested Monday.

   "We will see the results from there," Pillay told Reuters. "We have
   some evidence of some limited impact on marine life. Our team is
   satisfied that there is no impact on public health."

   President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday the unrest that ripped through
   several parts of the country in the past week was stabilizing and calm
   had been restored to most affected areas.

   Protests broke out after former President Jacob Zuma was jailed for
   failing to appear at a corruption inquiry and swiftly degenerated into
   looting and arson which has killed more than 200 people and destroyed
   hundreds of businesses.

   The municipality also said some residents were reporting smoke residue
   from burned chemical products. It advised people to close windows and
   doors and put wet cloths over vents until the smoke cleared.

   Pillay said air quality testing was being undertaken.