TimesLIVE reports that a teacher is in critical condition and more than 50 pupils have been transported to local hospitals after they inhaled an unknown gas at Vukuzakhe High School in Umlazi, south of Durban.  

Paramedics were called to the school on Monday after a small unknown substance reportedly exploded and was inhaled by a number of pupils.  Three pupils were initially transported to a nearby clinic.  When paramedics got to the school they found teachers and pupils complaining about itchy throats, burning eyes and shortness of breath.  Rescue Care spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said at the scene:  "At this stage we have had multiple patients collapsing.  Our Lenmed One helicopter is on its way to transport a teacher who sustained some quite critical injuries as a result of the inhalation."  Jamieson said that the chemical substance and its source were unknown, but fragments of it were handed over to police.  Provincial education spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said they would be looking into the incident because it was a serious matter.

• Read the full original of Suthentira Govender’s report on the above story at TimesLIVE

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