Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma expressed sadness and sent his condolences to the families of the six people who died while working in a sewer pit at the Natal Naval Base in Bayhead, Durban on Friday.
"We are devastated by the deaths of these hard working soldiers and their colleagues. It is really tragic for all of them to lose their lives in this manner. This is a most painful and traumatic time for all the families and for all of us," Zuma said in a statement.
Three soldiers and three public works department staff died.
The Presidency said that it was believed that the three soldiers rushed to the pit to try and assist the public works staff members who were struggling to breathe underground. Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Maphisa-Nqakula called Zuma to inform him of the accident.
“This happens just when we were preparing to join the SANDF in Durban for the Armed Forces Day celebration which also marks the centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi vessel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this difficult and painful time,” Zuma said.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant sent her condolences to the families of the six that died in the accident and said the department's inspectors were dispatched to the scene after 11am to conduct and investigation into the cause fo the accident.
"The accident involves inhalation of methane gas by workers who were conducting repairs to a pumped storage in a pit of about 5 metres deep. About 21 Navy officers who tried to rescue the workers were rushed to hospital as they also got affected by the gas," the department said.
"The Minister wishes to assure the public that measures are currently underway to prevent further loss of lives. Investigations into the matter are currently underway."
Earlier, Mapisa-Nqakula sent condolences to the families of six people who died in a gas accident.
“The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has learnt with shock and sadness of the accident that happened today at Natal Naval Station, where three civilian members from the Department of Public Works and three uniform members of the SANDF lost their lives in a gas accident,” the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said in a statement.
“The Minister would like to pass her condolences to the families and friends of all the members who lost their lives.”
Earlier, paramedics said that six people died and 26 other people were injured in the freak accident.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics had arrived on the scene and found rescue teams already in attendance, situated near a sewer pit. “Rescue teams had already retrieved the bodies of six men from the sewer pit,” Meiring said.
“Paramedics assessed all six men and found that they showed no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the men and they were declared dead on the scene.”
Meiring said the patients were treated for their injuries and thereafter transported to various hospitals in the area for further treatment. Meanwhile, Rescue Care Paramedics spokesperson Ceron Lennox said paramedics and other emergency services arrived on the scene at around 11.40am and found that rescue personal had already retrieved the bodies of six people from the pit.
Lennox said that they had already die before paramedics arrived.
“They were declared deceased at the scene. Twenty six other people had sustained minor injuries and were treated on scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for the further care that they required.”
Lennox said that the exact events leading up to the incident was unknown and authorities were on the scene to investigate.
Meanwhile, Transnet National Ports Authority said it was aware of the “fatal incident” that took place at the Durban Naval Base, which falls outside of the Port of Durban land area.
“The Port of Durban cannot comment on this matter as it is not within its authority or jurisdiction,” Transnet said.