The count of students hospitalized after experiencing a gas-related intoxication at their high school in Matanzas has climbed to 35. These teenagers, who are students at the José Luis Dubrocq urban pre-university institute, are currently receiving care at the Eliseo Noel Caamaño pediatric hospital. Fortunately, none are in critical condition.
Julio Hernández Sánchez, the director of the medical facility, informed the Girón newspaper that some patients have been brought in without symptoms by their parents. Following protocol, these individuals are admitted, assessed, and kept under observation for at least four hours. "The condition of the patients remains unchanged; they are stable, under observation, and showing positive progress," he stated. "The four patients in intermediate care need to stay there for about 24 hours due to their comorbidities, not because of any severe condition," he further clarified.
The first medical discharges are expected to occur this afternoon. The affected individuals range in age from 15 to 18, with the majority situated in the respiratory ward, while six remain under observation.
So far, officials have only stated that the intoxication resulted from inhaling an unknown substance. The incident transpired on Friday on the school's second floor, where several students began to feel dizzy, had trouble breathing, and experienced skin redness after detecting a strong gas odor. In response to the emergency, the school was evacuated, and those impacted received immediate medical attention.
A commission comprising members from the Communist Party, the Government, Provincial Education, and the Ministry of the Interior has been formed to investigate the cause of the gas leak. Students' accounts suggest that the odor might have originated from a substance resembling acrylic, which quickly permeated the building, rendering several students unconscious.
A witness recounted to CiberCuba that students and teachers had to evacuate the premises and flag down a bus and cars to urgently transport those who had inhaled the chemical and were fainting. Many were already unconscious upon arriving at the hospital, while others lost consciousness after disembarking from the bus.
"Curiously, the State Security arrived in less than 15 minutes. The students are bewildered and unsure of what happened. They mentioned one student who bravely entered the classroom where the odor was strongest and helped several nearly unconscious classmates. He kept insisting it was a strong acrylic smell," added the witness.
Understanding the Gas Leak Incident in Matanzas
What caused the gas leak in the Matanzas school?
The exact cause of the gas leak remains unknown, but students reported that the smell was similar to acrylic, which spread rapidly throughout the building.
How are the hospitalized students doing?
All hospitalized students are stable, with none in critical condition. They are under observation and are showing favorable progress.
What actions are being taken by authorities?
A commission including members from various governmental bodies has been established to investigate the cause of the gas leak.