The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) has issued an urgent warning after a serious tanker collision in Durban on Monday, February 23, which spilled 30 000 litres of diesel.
The crash occurred at the M7 and N2 on-ramp in KwaZulu-Natal, leaving occupants severely trapped and requiring emergency responders to use hydraulic rescue equipment.
Emergency crews faced the additional challenge of containing a large fuel spillage.
A series of videos and photos circulating on social media showed members of the public collecting diesel from the roadway in various containers while rescue operations were under way, prompting widespread concern from safety authorities.
“Crash scenes involving fuel tankers are extremely volatile environments,” said Ipeleng Mabusela, CEO of the RMI.
“Diesel and other petroleum products pose serious fire, explosion, and health risks. A single spark, a cigarette, or even static electricity can trigger catastrophic consequences.”
Mabusela warned that approaching fuel spillages is dangerous. “Fuel is not just flammable, it is toxic and environmentally hazardous. Vapours can ignite unexpectedly, particularly in congested areas. Damaged vehicles may be unstable, secondary collisions are common, and interference can slow emergency operations.”
He added that attempts to remove fuel not only endanger individuals but also interfere with life-saving rescue efforts and may have legal consequences.
South Africa continues to experience high levels of road crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles. Incidents involving tankers and hazardous loads require specialised containment and clean-up procedures that can take hours.
The RMI urged motorists and pedestrians to:
• Keep a safe distance from crash scenes
• Avoid smoking or using open flames nearby
• Obey traffic officials and emergency instructions
• Never attempt to collect fuel or cargo from a damaged vehicle
“Your safety is not worth the risk. Leave scene management to trained professionals,” Mabusela concluded.