17 nursing students faint after gas leak in Abbottabad

At least 17 students of the Government Nursing School in Abbottabad fainted during a class after inhaling a suspected discharge of chemical from the Sui gas supply. Five of the affected students are reported to be in critical condition, while the remaining are said to be out of danger.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred during class hours when a strong, noxious odour spread in the classroom. The affected students immediately experienced severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty in breathing, before collapsing.

The incident was promptly reported to Ayub Medical Complex, which dispatched ambulances and medical personnel to the school. All 17 students were transferred to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Hospital authorities confirmed that after receiving initial medical attention, one student was shifted to the Medical ICU, two were admitted to the CCU, one was moved to Medical Ward C, and thirteen were kept under emergency observation.

Medical Director Professor Dr Saqib Malik and Hospital Director Dr Dawood Iqbal, together with Dr Goharur Rehman, stated that the students lost consciousness following exposure to a chemical mixed in the gas supply.

Dr Rehman added that upon contacting Sui Gas authorities, they were informed that only a 'routine chemical' had been injected in the gas supply. However, hospital officials maintained that the severity of the students’ symptoms was inconsistent with exposure to a standard precautionary odourant.

Responding to the incident, Sui Gas Department spokesperson Sajjad Ahmed said that a special odourant is injected into the gas solely as a safety measure to alert users in the event of leakage.

He clarified that the leakage was internal, confined to the classroom, and no similar complaints had been received from other areas of the city. He added that responsibility for internal leaks lies with the user.

Ahmed further confirmed that the senior management of Sui Gas Abbottabad, including General Manager Rehmatullah and the operations head, visited the site with a technical team to conduct a thorough inspection.

During the inspection, officials observed that a large waste drain from nearby small-scale industries runs adjacent to the hostel building. Authorities are examining the possibility of external pipeline leakage, particularly in areas affected by contaminated water.

Ahmed also confirmed that all affected students are out of danger and recovering fast. He said that and that the entire building had been checked to ensure there is no further leakage. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the incident.