Panic: 30 Students Hospitalised After Suspected Gas Leak in Ogun School
At least 30 students of Our Lady Apostles Secondary School in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, were hospitalised on Wednesday following a suspected gas leak within the school premises.
According to reports, panic broke out when students and teachers began experiencing breathing difficulties after inhaling fumes believed to have originated from nearby carbide cylinders.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, confirmed the incident, stating that the affected students were promptly taken to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode for treatment.
He added that most of the students are now in stable condition, with some already discharged, while investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
“Yes, there was a gas leak around Our Lady Apostles School in Ijebu-Ode. I received the report about two hours ago,” Oresanya said.
“About 30 students were affected and taken to the General Hospital. Most are stable, and some have been discharged.”
Despite initial reports, Oresanya noted that no obvious source of a gas leak has been identified in the area.
“As we speak, I am in Ijebu-Ode with my team, trying to trace the source. There is no gas pipeline, grid, or industrial facility nearby. There is also no gas vendor in the vicinity. We suspect some form of human activity may be involved,” he explained.
During an inspection of the surrounding area, officials discovered a nearby bush, which is now considered a possible source of the fumes.
“We combed the area and found a bush not far from the school. It is possible that individuals working with metals there were using gas cylinders,” he said.
“Some teachers reported that the odour resembled carbide, suggesting that a carbide gas cylinder may have exploded.”
The commissioner urged parents and residents to remain calm, assuring them that more details would be provided as investigations progress.