Chennai: Several Students Hospitalised With Breathing Issues After Suspected Gas Leak At Tiruvottiyur School

Over 35 female students of a private school in Tiruvottiyur reportedly experienced symptoms like eye irritation and difficulty breathing.

Over 30 students from a private school in Tiruvottiyur fainted on Friday allegedly due to a gas leak creating widespread panic among students, school officials, and parents. The incident occurred at a school on Village Street prompting immediate evacuation and rescue efforts.

According to a Maalaimalar report, two students were rushed to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, where they are currently in stable condition. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as students lost consciousness and were taken for urgent medical care leading anxious parents to flock to the school.

Over 30 female students reportedly experienced symptoms like eye irritation and difficulty breathing. The fire department responded swiftly, initiating rescue operations to ensure the safety of the affected students.

Initial police investigations suggest that the incident may have been caused by a chemical leak from the school’s laboratory. However, some reports also indicate the possibility of the fumes originating from a nearby chemical factory. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the leak and have been monitoring the situation to prevent further risks.

In this situation, the parents have gathered in front of the school with some of them resorting to an argument with the school management accusing them of not providing any information related to the incident, as reported by ABP Nadu.

Following this, Thiruvotiyur police rushed to the spot. They are currently interrogating the headmaster and teachers to know about the turn of events that led to the mass hospitalisation.

Last year, a late-night ammonia gas leak at a fertilizer plant in Chennai’s Ennore area led to the hospitalization of at least 52 people. The leak occurred from a pipeline running from the sea to a private fertilizer company’s factory, according to officials. Many affected individuals required first aid for eye irritation and breathing difficulties. Several families evacuated their homes to avoid the harmful effects of the leak.