In a disturbing incident, approximately 30 students and one teacher from Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, were hospitalised following a suspected gas leak that contaminated the school environment. The incident unfolded on Wednesday, shortly after the morning assembly session, when an unknown gaseous substance began to spread across the school compound, filling the air with a strange odour.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the sudden release of the substance caused about 30 students to fall ill, with many collapsing and experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and difficulty breathing. In response to the emergency, the school swiftly contacted emergency services, who promptly transported the affected individuals to the General Hospital in Ijebu Ode for immediate medical care.
Mrs. Adeola Borogun, the Vice Principal of the school, recounted the unfolding events. “The situation became concerning when we detected a strange chemical odour within the school premises, “she. “.
Students started fainting and vomiting almost simultaneously. We quickly alerted emergency responders, who evacuated them to the hospital.”Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident and clarified that it was not caused by an explosion. “.
There was no explosion. We are dealing with a gas leak from an as yet unknown source, “he stated. “Some suspected the school laboratory, but others believed it may have originated from somewhere else.”.
Commissioner Oresanya further explained that officials were employing appropriate tools to determine the nature, concentration, and source of the offensive substance. He also assured that the affected students were responding well to treatment and were in stable condition.
In a visit to the hospital, Dare Alebiosu, the chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government Council, described the situation as being under control and encouraged calm among parents and residents. He assured that authorities would conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the cause of the incident and prevent any recurrence.
Source: allafrica
