Wits: ‘Kitchen fumes’ the cause of student illness
The University of Witwatersrand says preliminary investigations have fingered a faulty extractor fan in the kitchen as the reason for the students falling ill.
Emergency services rushed to the Park Town residence in Johannesburg on Sunday evening after the students complained of shortness of breath.
Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel says they believe the kitchen fumes entered the dining hall.
“I have just been informed that the preliminary investigations show that it was likely that one of the main extractor fans in the kitchen malfunctioned, which resulted in the kitchen fumes entering the dining hall. It is being tested and will be fixed, replaced and tested before the Highfield Dining Hall reopen.”
Some 60 students were taken to hospital but have all since been discharged.
She says nurses are still on-site to monitor the situation.
“Our occupational health and safety team is on-site. All students have recovered well and nurses from our campus health and wellness centre are also on-site to monitor them.”
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