BAYBAY CITY— Four senior high school students were hospitalized after experiencing breathing difficulties, skin and eye irritation, vomiting, and loss of consciousness following exposure to a still unidentified substance inside a classroom at Baybay City Senior High School on Thursday afternoon, July 9.
The incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. inside Room 18 of Baybay City Senior High School along 30 de Diciembre Street.
The affected students, all 17 years old and residents of Baybay City, were identified only by their aliases: “Idoy,” “Art,” “Alexa,” and “Ash.”
Police said they received a report from a concerned citizen about a suspected chemical leak inside the school, prompting authorities to immediately respond and investigate.
Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Baybay Fire Station, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, inspected the school premises to determine the possible source of the incident.
However, an initial assessment found no traces of any chemical substance or hazardous residue within the campus.
Based on the students’ statements, the incident began at around 2 p.m. while they were inside their classroom. They said they were suddenly exposed to what they described as an odorless substance before experiencing burning sensations in their eyes and throat, nasal pain, skin irritation, vomiting, and, in some cases, loss of consciousness.
The BFP, whose personnel are trained in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response and Hazardous Materials (HazMat) operations, said all possible natural causes were assessed and initially ruled out. Investigators are now considering the possibility that the incident may have been caused by an unidentified individual, although this remains subject to further investigation.
The affected students were rushed to Immaculate Conception Hospital for treatment. Authorities said they are now in stable condition but remain under medical observation.
Police said they have coordinated with the Regional Forensic Unit 8 in Ormoc City to conduct laboratory examinations to determine the nature and composition of the suspected toxic substance inhaled by the students.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the source of the suspected chemical exposure.
(ROBERT DEJON)
