PARAMEDICS donned protective gear to enter a Musgrave flat where a Durban couple was found dead on Wednesday, September 28, following a chemical fumigation at a neighbouring flat.
Spokesperson for Netcare 911 Paramedics Shawn Herbst said they arrived on the scene at about 10:12. Herbst said a woman aged 34 and a man aged 37 were found by a concerned family member.
“A family member went to check up because no one was answering their phones. When he went upstairs, he opened the door and found them dead. The lights in the flat were still on, so we assume they might have succumbed to fumes during the evening,” said Herbst.
ALSO READ: ‘We carried my father’s dead body’ said Umbilo woman
According to Herbst, there were two flats on the third floor of the block – one was occupied by a couple, and the other was vacant and being fumigated.
“The flat next door had droplets of white chemical powder – about a tablespoon of powder placed at metre intervals. We are trying to find out what company did the fumigation. Police said only professional companies are allowed to use this chemical,” said Herbst.
He added that the SAPS Explosives Unit was on the scene together with emergency services, including eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services and Berea SAPS.
ALSO READ: Community reeling after Glenwood woman found dead
“SAPS would not allow anyone inside the flat. Our Netcare 911 technician went inside with breathing apparatus and found the couple unresponsive. An industrial fan was used to clear the fumes,” he said.
Shockingly, Herbst said paramedics respond to similar cases annually.
“We respond to roughly two or three cases of fumigation per year where this happens,” he said.
Berea Mail reached out to the SAPS for comment, however, the SAPS was not available at the time this article was published.
