Children exposed to teargas in Durban protest
Paramedics are treating about a dozen children and several adults who have been exposed to teargas while police try to control protesters near Quarry Road at the M19 in Durban.
It is believed police fired teargas and used water canons earlier to try and disperse the angry residents who had barricaded roads with rocks and burning tyres.
While the exact reason behind the protest is still unknown, it is thought it could be over housing and other services.
Crisis Medical's Kyle van Reenen says smoke from burning tyres has also affected some of those receiving treatment.
"Teargas affects you respiratory system, causes you to cry and causes a burning sensation in the the back of the throat as well as the eyes. As you can imagine for a small person - a three-year-old or five-year-old child - it's exacerbates and it becomes a terrible sensation.
Basically, what we have been doing is to treat them with oxygenation and try and rinse out any form of substance left in the eye," he said.
The children are between the ages of a few months and five-years-old.
(Photo: Crisis Medical)