Manganese truck overturns at Lüderitz – residents call for improved safety

Residents of Lüderitz are left furious after a truck carrying manganese overturned, spilling all of the content. Residents have been concerned over health and safety issues surrounding the transport of manganese and the export through the port of Lüderitz.

Preliminary indications are the truck’s brakes failed, resulting in it entering the town at Residents feel more has to be done to come up with minimum standards and prevention measures to ensure trucks carrying manganese don’t expose residents to danger and contamination.

Measures should also be tightened to prevent manganese hauled in by trains spilling into the local environment.

Exposure to Manganese fumes, dust and compounds can lead to a condition known as “metal fume fever”, a flu-like illness with symptoms of metallic taste in the mouth, headache, fever and chills and aches, chest tightness and cough. The symptoms usually last for a day or two but might be delayed for several hours after exposure.