A primary school in the East Flemish town of Sint-Niklaas has been evacuated due to carbon monoxide poisoning. At start of lessons, at the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ten Bos School in the hamlet of Nieuwkerken 30 of the 400 pupils complained of nausea and headaches. The medical intervention plan was then promptly activated. Twenty-two pupils were taken to hospital as a precaution.
Primary school evacuated due to carbon monoxide poisoning, a score of pupils hospitalised
Colin Clapson
Published:
The school was immediately evacuated, and emergency services were deployed en masse. The children were taken to the car park of a nearby residential care centre, where they were given thermal blankets.
Situation quickly brought under control
Of the 30 final grade pupils who complained about feeling unwell, 22 were taken to various hospitals.
‘There is no life-threatening situation and all children are safe,’ a spokesman for Sint-Niklaas city council said. ‘The parents have been informed and are receiving support on site.’
The situation in the building was quickly brought under control, but the fire brigade is currently carrying out checks. The cause of the CO poisoning is still under investigation.