By Our Reporter
No fewer than 30 students and a teacher were hospitalised on Wednesday following a gas leak at Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School.
The incident occurred shortly after the morning assembly, when a strange gaseous substance reportedly spread across the school premises, causing panic among students and staff.
Eyewitnesses said several students experienced breathing difficulties and some collapsed after inhaling the substance, prompting an emergency response. The affected individuals were subsequently rushed to General Hospital Ijebu Ode for treatment.
Initial reports suggested a possible gas explosion or chemical discharge from the school laboratory during a practical session. It was gathered that a piece of equipment may have fallen, releasing a substance that quickly spread within the school environment.
However, the Vice Principal (Junior School), Mrs Adeola Borogun, dismissed reports of any explosion, describing the incident as a strange chemical odour that caused vomiting and fainting among students, necessitating the evacuation of victims.
Also reacting, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed that the incident was a gas leak but ruled out industrial pollution or any form of explosion.
According to him, authorities have deployed a gas analyser to determine the type and concentration of the substance responsible.
“There is no industrial facility around that could have caused such pollution. It is a gas leakage from an unknown source, but there was no explosion,” he said, adding that all affected students were in stable condition.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Banjo Adeoye, confirmed that 30 students and one teacher were admitted, noting that most of them were stable, although the exact cause of the incident was yet to be identified.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, said no life was lost, assuring that all affected persons were responding well to treatment.
