Noxious fumes from an oil spill in the Kingstown harbour sickened students, teachers and residents, resulting in the authorities closing the J.P. Eustace Secondary School in Edinboro on Friday.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said it received reports that an old ship sank in the Kingstown harbour Thursday night .
Early Friday morning, diesel began floating up from the vicinity where the ship sank.
Diesel washed ashore, and noxious fumes have been affecting the Edinboro area, NEMO said.
The Dr. J. P Eustace Secondary School was closed Friday morning due to the strong smell and 17 students, three teachers, and two residents were treated at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and later discharged.
One emergency worker was also hospitalized after complaining of being dizzy while working at the site, NEMO said.
NEMO has urged persons living in the area to temporarily relocate or to take precautions if they are unable to.
The disaster management agency said it has put together a task force to deal with containing and cleaning up the oil spill in the Edinboro area.
The task force includes personnel from fuel companies SOL and Rubis, the Coast Guard, the Public Health Department, Traffic and Fire Services of the Police Force, Maritime Administration and the Central Water and Sewerage Authority.
NEMO said the Public Health Department is advising persons in the area as follows:
• Persons residing in the area are kindly asked to temporarily relocate their families especially those who has young children and the elderly especially those who are sick or have compromised immune system.
• Persons who are unable to temporarily relocate are kindly asked to limit the amount of time spent in the affected area.
• Persons residing in the area are kindly asked to limit the intake of beverages such as soda, juice, etc. to drink at least 8 glasses of water.
• Persons who become nauseated are kindly asked to report to the hospital for observation.
• Persons in the affected area are kindly asked to keep all belongs inside such as clothing and keep the windows and doors closed as a mean of precaution.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The National Emergency Management Organisation — NEMO — can be reached at telephone number 456-2975. In cases of medical emergencies, fires, or to report a crime, dial 911. Click to follow NEMO on Facebook)
TOXINS, Hazardous, DEADLY, DANGEROUS . Terminologies am POSITIVE that SHOULD be used and Known to the TRAINED and QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS When DOCUMENTING and REPORTING such unfortunate However Extremely HAZARDOUS Especially WHEN INGESTED. However, although INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN yet LOCALLY REPORTED We have yet to SEE or HEAR WHAT MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR THOSE AFFECTED AND THOSE WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED ONCE THEY REMAIN IN THE VICINITY . WHAT HAPPENS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO ONE AND NO PLACE TO GO? Are any EMERGENCY SHELTERS CAMPS and how do they SURVIVE? WHAT FOLLOW UP MEASURES HAVE been IMPLEMENTED for Victims Who have INGESTED such HAZARDOUS Toxins? Leaders and OPPOSITIONS Aren’t YOUR CITIZENS Deserving Of Such HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT ? Young, Old, Men, Women, CHILDREN and their Surroundings ? Animals INCLUDED. ITs Time TO PUT OUR PEOPLE FIRST their lives is just as VALUABLE.
Is there a problem with you keyboard?
Its not enough to tell Affected citizens to relocate, a little compassion and provisions for such would be nice free Bottled Water and a SAFE establishment until the area is deemed suitable to live would be appreciated.