Another poisonous gas scare at SM Seri Pantai

There was another poisonous gas scare at Sekolah Menengah (SM) Seri Pantai in Kuala Kedah near here this morning, this time involving 28 students.

One of the students fainted during the 8am assembly and all of them were taken to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

The hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department chief and specialist Dr Fatahul Laham Mohamad said the students were all in stable condition but would be subjected to further tests and be under observation for the next two days.

The 25 girls and three boys showed symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and stinging in the eyes. It's not as serious as the last time.

They'll be discharged if the blood tests and X-rays are normal. But we're not taking any chances and will continue monitoring them," he said.

On April 23, 56 Form Four and Form Five students, a teacher and a guardian of a student were admitted to the same hospital after they were suspected of inhaling poisonous gas.

The gas was believed to be from a chemical substance called acrolein which is mainly used in the manufacture of fertiliser. The Fire and Rescue Department had inspected the school and its surrounding area and found no leakages.