14 students fall ill after leak chemical in Tolichowki

Hyderabad: Fourteen students of the Indian School of Excellence fell ill after leaked chemical from the institution’s lab spread in the air in Tolichowki on Friday. Forensic experts said liquid ammonia stored in the lab leaked. It caused drowsiness and four students fell unconscious. All the 14 students have been hospitalised.

Locals told the police that a similar incident had occurred in the past also as the school management was taking things easy. Friday’s incident happened after the morning prayers. Students of the Sixth Standard, whose classrooms were near the lab, were the affected. “The kids started coughing and feeling drowsy. The effect of gas leak was so strong that four kids fainted in the school,” said West Zone DCP Venkateswar Rao.

While the kids were taken to hospital, the school authorities remained tight-lipped as to what cased the fainting. Police arrived at the spot and called in forensic experts to determine the cause of the mishap. “There were two bottles of liquid ammonia inside the lab and one of the bottles was not properly closed. The chemical from one bottle leaked in the lab, which remained closed till morning. When the lab assistant opened the windows of the lab, the gas went out and the students inhaled it,” said scientific officer from the Clues Team Venkanna.

“Ammonia can cause irritation and drowsiness in children while the elders can withstand it,” he said.

The doctors at the private hospital where the victims were admitted said the condition of the students was stable. Parents protested against the negligence of the school, said Inspector Khaleel Pasha.