25 Students Collapse as Company Discharge Chemical Waste in Lagos
Twenty five students of Ogba Junior Secondary School went into coma on Thursday in Lagos after inhaling a chemical waste allegedly discharged into drainage by Bizcircuit Photo Laboratory situated in Ogba Shopping Plaza, Lagos.
The incident occurred at about 12.40pm while the students were still in their classes shortly before the close of school for the day. The situation led to panic from the school authority and some parents that raced to the scene. Officials of the various state emergency management agencies arrived the scene and rushed the unconscious victims to Blue Cross Hospital and Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.
Head of Logistic, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Mr. Femi Giwa told journalists at the scene that of the 25 victims four were in critical condition and presently responding to treatment.
He said a distress call was received and the officials responded immediately to save the situation.
Giwa said on arriving the scene, the team conducted a general assessment and discovered that certain liquid chemicals with offensive and choking odour was stored and used for production in the photo lab on the first floor of the shopping complex.
He said the offensive odour permeated the environment, which could have led to the unfortunate incident.
He said the government sealed off the premises and arrested three of the staff of the photo studio.
He however assured that proper investigation would be conducted to ascertain the chemical analysis and its effect on the environment.
The State Director of Fire and Safety Services, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said officials assisted the rescue operations to avoid the spread of chemical fumes. [The Nation]
