Six die in navy gas horror
Three brave ratings saluted as heroes in ill-fated rescue bid
THREE naval ratings died as heroes yesterday when they leaped into a pit of methane gas to try to rescue workers who were conducting repairs to a storage pump in a pit about 5m deep.
Another 26 naval personnel were affected by the gas when they joined the rescue attempt and were taken to various hospitals around Durban. Late last night some had been released.
The tragic incident, about midday, was the third this week involving deaths of military personnel, ahead of Armed Forces Day scheduled to take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
Earlier this week, a soldier died when a tank he was in, on top of a military truck, was involved in an accident on the way to Durban. On Wednesday, a naval lieutenant drowned while swimming at Battery Beach.
Last night, Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant offered her condolences to the families and friends of the victims of what has been described as a “freak accident” at the naval base.
SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Mafi Mogobozi said a full investigation by military police and SAPS was under way.
“It is understood that three uniformed members rushed to the pit to try to assist the Public Works members who were struggling to breathe. Unfortunately the SANDF members who responded to the call to save their countrymen were exposed to high levels of methane gas and also succumbed.”
After the accident yesterday, social media went into overdrive, with many rumours being shared, including alerts of an explosion at the naval base, as well as requests by police in the area for people “to switch off their cellphones and abandon their vehicles”.
This could not be confirmed as KZN SAPS Media Centre referred all queries about the incident to the SANDF.
By early afternoon, there was a massive traffic backlog into the Bluff area where the naval base is situated and military police were spotted stationed along different freeways.
Emergency services personnel who attended the scene were tightlipped over details.
KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Services spokesperson Ceron Lennox said: “At this stage the exact events leading up to the incident are unknown.” Rescue Care spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said: “The place is under strict control. No media will be allowed into the naval base.”
ER24’s Russel Meiring said: “Rescue teams had already retrieved the bodies of six men from the sewer pit. Paramedics assessed all men and found they showed no signs of life. Details surrounding this incident are not yet known, but the authorities are on the scene for further investigation.”
Last night the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Defence Secretary Dr Sam Gulube and SANDF Chief General Solly Shoke expressed their condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
The gas tragedy happened just after the armed forces had finished the final rehearsal of the display which is to take place on Durban’s beachfront this morning.
This was ahead of a weekend of planned events for the public to enjoy ahead of Armed Forces Day, which will see President Jacob Zuma take the salute from the SANDF during a military parade.
The planned events include different capability demonstrations along the beachfront.
The public will also be able to visit naval vessels which are berthed in the port.
DURBAN skies will be rocked by explosions, the sound of gunfire and combat helicopters and fighter jets this morning.
A weekend of events leading to celebrations of Armed Forces Day on Tuesday, starts with a combat capability demonstration by armed forces on the beachfront at 10am. All events are free, and include:
A Fan Park at the old drive-in which allows the public to see SA National Defence Force equipment, military music, precision drill sessions, bridge-laying demonstrations. Also present will be recruitment teams.
The Port of Durban will have six navy vessels alongside North Pier for public viewing today and tomorrow from 9am3pm.
Tonight there will be a gala concert of military music at City Hall at 6.30pm.
Tomorrow, a fun walk/run will start at 6am from Blue Lagoon to uShaka Marine World.
On Monday, there will be a capability demonstration at Blue Lagoon, including firing of tracer rounds from 3pm4pm with the main event from 7.30pm-9pm.
These events will lead up to the ceremony at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. President Jacob Zuma will officiate at the parade, after which a capability demonstration will take place at Blue Lagoon.
The activities will be partnered with celebrations in the English Channel to mark the sinking of the Mendi troop ship 100 years ago, where the frigate SAS Amatola will lead the commemoration in the English Channel.
Road closures on Tuesday include:
Umgeni Road southbound will be closed from Goble Road from 5am-1pm and traffic will be diverted.
NMR Avenue will be closed from 8am-3pm at Blue Lagoon.
Argyle Road will be closed between 10am and midday.
Access to Walter Gilbert Road will be from Umgeni Road only between 10am and noon.