A primary school in Berlin has been evacuated after it reportedly suffered a tear gas attack which has left one child hospitalised and 37 injured.
Emergency services were called to the Miriam Makeba Elementary School, Moabit, at around 9am today where children reported eye pain and ‘respiratory irritation’.
Pupils were quickly removed from the premises and treated outside by medics, but one child was taken to hospital for ‘further clinical care’.
Berlin Police issued a brief statement on social media that confirmed an incident at the school, but gave no details of the cause.
However, German news site BILD said ‘tear gas was sprayed in the hallway of the school building’.
The police statement read: ‘Shortly after 9am, our emergency services were alerted to the Miriam Makeba Elementary School in Moabit.
‘At least ten children are reportedly complaining of eye and respiratory irritation. They are currently being treated by emergency personnel.
‘The building has been evacuated and ventilated.’
The force added that while there is ‘no longer any danger’ the school will remain suspended while they investigate ‘the cause’ and ‘possible perpetrators’.
A fire service spokesperson said ‘several children were exposed to irritant gas’ and that ambulances were sent in response while they ventilated the building.
They issued a further update to say the scene was now ‘under control’ but that a child was in hospital receiving treatment.
It read: ‘The school has been successfully ventilated and reopened. The parents of all schoolchildren have been informed of the incident by the school administration.
‘There were approximately 400 children at the elementary school, 37 of whom were assessed and treated as outpatients by our emergency services.
‘One child had to be transported to a hospital for further clinical care.
‘At its peak, we were on site with 42 emergency personnel for about two hours.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
