Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Jul 4: Around 50 students at Little Flower Girls Higher Secondary School in Kanhangad were affected on Thursday, July 4, when a malfunctioning generator at a neighbouring hospital emitted smoke into their classrooms.

The incident, caused by a faulty generator at the Women's and Children's Hospital adjacent to the school, led to breathing difficulties among students in Classes 11 and 12.

Initially, 10 students reported breathing problems, prompting immediate action from school authorities. Subsequently, due to the smoke permeating the school premises, approximately half of the students in these classes—around 50 out of 100—felt unwell and were swiftly taken to the hospital for urgent medical attention.

Dr Santhosh B, the hospital's superintendent, stated that 12 students were discharged after receiving initial treatment, while 38 others remained under observation and were provided with necessary first aid. Seven students, identified to have prior respiratory issues, were transferred to the district hospital for further specialised care. Dr Santhosh clarified that none of the affected students required prolonged oxygen support.

Basheer Arangadi, the president of the Parent-Teacher Association, contested this account, asserting that all students required oxygen and criticizing the hospital's emergency response.

The generator malfunction was attributed to extended operation during a period of unstable power supply. Hospital management acknowledged the oversight and announced plans to procure a new generator while committing to reposition the exhaust pipe to prevent similar incidents in the future.

K V Sujatha, chairperson of the Kanhangad Municipal and head of the Hospital Management Committee, assured the community of proactive measures to enhance safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of students and staff at the school.