GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The blue containers containing hazardous chemicals have all been found and there is no longer a risk to the public, it was announced today.
On 29 March, the NSRI announced that the public should stay away from blue containers if they saw them washed up on the coast because they contained harmful chemicals.
In an update today, it was announced that all the containers were recovered and posed no risk.
The statement was from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Risk Management and GRDM Fire Services, in cooperation with the NSRI, Southern Cape.
Jongensfontein
After the NSRI's announcement on 29 March that a container had been found at Jongensfontein Beach, near Stilbaai, and its warning that more containers could wash up on the Garden Route and Southern Cape coastline, it was announced today that two containers had been found in the Mossel Bay area.
Hartenbos
One was detected at Hartenbos and was recovered by GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, early on the morning of Saturday, 30 March.
This container was empty and posed no risk, the statement noted.
Mossel Bay harbour
A third container, detected in the Mossel Bay harbour area, and approaching De Bakke Beach, about 700 metres offshore, was recovered by NSRI Mossel Bay, in cooperation with GRDM Fire and Rescue Services.
A blue container recovered from Arniston Beach was found to be unrelated to the current crisis and no risk to the public.
There appears to be no further risk but as is usual, the emergency services remain on 24-hour alert, the statement noted.
'Commend'
"We commend the immense positive response from the concerned public and those members of the public who alerted authorities to sightings of containers and all the emergency services and contract services who assisted in this case are commended," said Deon Stoffels, chief fire officer, GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, the statement noted.
We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news.
