A suspected gas leak disrupted classes at Umbilo Secondary School in Wentworth, south of Durban, on 12 March 2026. Learners and teachers reported a strong chemical odor just after 10am, leading to fainting and breathing difficulties. Paramedics quickly arrived, treating multiple pupils amid scenes of chaos.

Parents and community members expressed deep concern over the incident, which echoes past environmental issues in the area. Emergency services evacuated the school and closed it for the day to ensure safety.

Incident Unfolds at Durban School

Learners at Umbilo Secondary School began collapsing shortly after 10am on Thursday, 12 March 2026, due to a suspected Durban school gas leak. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson reported that teams responded to reports of a mass casualty event. They found numerous children affected by what appeared to be a gas or chemical substance in the air.

Paramedics triaged about 20 patients in a school hall, calming them before individual assessments. Six to eight pupils required hospital transport, including one who may have suffered a seizure. The eThekwini Fire Department assisted on site to prevent any potential fires.

Windy conditions likely carried the gas from a nearby property or company toward the school, according to initial reports. This prompted a full evacuation, with children moved outside for fresh air.

Community History and Ongoing Concerns

Residents in Wentworth have faced similar gas leaks before, raising alarms about industrial safety in South Durban. South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) coordinator Desmond D'Sa condemned the alleged responsible company and demanded a thorough investigation. He called for revoking operating permits until firms prove compliance with safety measures.

D'Sa highlighted how such incidents have affected families for years, linking them to health issues like cancer in the community. "It's completely unfair," he stated, urging government action and accountability for officials.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education received contact for comment but provided no response by publication time. Efforts to reach the implicated company also yielded no immediate statements.

Parent Zalita Kruger rushed to the school after smelling the chemical odor. She retrieved her son, a cardiac patient, and two other girls to protect them from harm. Kruger noted her infant's bronchial pneumonia, which heightened her worry during the Durban school gas leak.

Another anonymous resident described burning sensations in her nose and throat from the heavy air. She criticized the lack of alarms or notifications from nearby industries, emphasizing the school's proximity to potential hazards.