Dumped medical waste shuts Durban beaches

Several Durban beaches are expected to remain closed for the next two weeks after quantities of medical waste were discovered.

Durban – Several Durban beaches have been closed and are expected to remain closed for the next two weeks after quantities of medical waste were discovered.

Municipal spokesman Thulani Mbatha said in a statement on Wednesday that beaches starting from the mangrove swamps and Umgeni rivermouth through Beachwood, Virginia and Glenashley had been closed for the next two weeks while clean up operations continue.

He said the medical waste appeared to have washed up onto the shore.

“Municipal officials are working around the clock to ensure that all the waste is removed from the beach. It is estimated that the clean-up operations will take up to two weeks to complete. In the interest of safety, all residents are advised to use alternative beaches until it is safe to use the affected beaches.”

He did not state what the waste consisted of or whether it was clear from where the waste had come. It was not clear whether the matter was being investigated. Calls to Mbatha’s phone went unanswered.

African News Agency