12 taken to hospital after inhaling ammonia at avocado pack house in Limpopo

At least a dozen people were hospitalised after inhaling ammonia at an avocado pack house in Limpopo early on Thursday.

Three of the workers at the pack house in Politsi‚ just outside of Tzaneen‚ were found lying on the ground as the rest of the workers were being evacuated from the building‚ said ER24 spokesman Annine Dormehl.

“It is believed that there was an ammonia leakage during the night and when the workers arrived this morning‚ they had difficulty breathing‚” said Dormehl.

“Eight patients were given oxygen by ER24 and then transported to hospital.

“About four other patients were treated by other emergency services and transported to nearby hospitals in the area.”