Several Durban Beaches Closed After Medical Waste Discovery.

Several Durban beaches have been temporarily closed after medical waste washed up along the coast, the City said on Wednesday.

“The eThekwini Municipality’s Health Unit is investigating the source of the medical waste,” said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Tozi Mthethwa.

Mthethwa said uMngeni (Mangrove), Beachwood, Virginia and Glenashley beaches had been temporarily closed because of a clean-up operation.

She said the clean-up operation was launched after the discovery of medical waste which had washed up on the shore. The waste could pose a health hazard to patrons and bathers using the facilities, she said.

Municipal officials were working around the clock to ensure that all the waste was removed from the beach, Mthethwa said.

“It is estimated that the clean-up operations will take up to two weeks to complete. In the interest of safety, all residents are advised to use alternative beaches until it is safe to use the affected beaches,” she said.