31 students slump in Lagos

Thirty one students of Ogba Junior High School, Ikeja in Lagos were  rushed to the hospital, yesterday, after inhaling chemical substance from  a laboratory located near the school.

The students were said to have collapsed when the chemical emission from the company filled the air.

They were consequently rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja where they were receiving medical attention.

The Lagos State Government has temporarily closed down the school.

Also affected is a shopping plaza close to the scene. The traders at the plaza, reportedly, closed their shops for fear of being affected by the chemical.

A witness, John Kasali, suspected that the chemical might be toxic. He said the students were in their various classrooms when the incident occurred, adding that parents rushed to the school, searching for their children and those who saw their children took them home while those who did not see theirs rushed to the hospital.

When contacted, the state Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Damasus Ozoani, who confirmed the story, said only eight students were rushed to LASUTH. He confirmed that there was  chemical emission which affected the students.

While saying that apart from policemen, officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection  Agency (LASEPA), Fire Brigade, and other security agencies were at the scene, Ozoani said LASEPA would ascertain the kind of chemical that caused the problem soon.

He advised Lagosians not to panic as the situation was under control.

Late last year, a similar incident occurred in the same school and the chemical company beside the school was closed down, but later reopened.

Source : Sun News