At least 14 schoolchildren, including nine girls, suffered burns after bottles containing an acidic chemical reportedly fell and exploded inside the laboratory of a private school in Lodhran.
The incident occurred during recess at a private school near Adda Permit on Multan Bypass, where students from Class I to IV were reportedly playing in a joint classroom.
According to Rescue 1122 media coordinator Safdar, a ball struck bottles that had been placed in an open cupboard. The bottles fell to the floor and exploded, causing the chemical inside to spill onto the children.
Children Suffer Burns in School Incident
The chemical spill left several children with burns on different parts of their bodies.
Rescue officials said the incident happened while the young students were playing during recess. The bottles were reportedly kept in an open cupboard inside the school’s laboratory.
The impact of the ball caused the bottles to fall, resulting in the chemical being released and coming into contact with the children.
The incident raised immediate concerns about the storage of potentially hazardous chemicals in an area accessible to young students.
Rescue Teams Reach School
Rescue 1122 teams were dispatched to the school after receiving an emergency call.
Four ambulances, two rescue motorbikes, a rescue vehicle and a fire extinguisher were deployed to the scene. Rescue personnel provided first aid to the injured children before transporting them to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.
Officials from the police and local administration also arrived at the school and began an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The investigation is expected to examine how the chemical bottles were stored and why they were accessible in an area where students could potentially come into contact with them.
Six-Year-Old Child Shifted to Nishtar Hospital
One of the injured children, identified as six-year-old Hasan, suffered burns covering approximately 27 percent of his body.
Due to the severity of his injuries, Hasan was shifted from the DHQ Hospital to the Burns Unit of Nishtar Hospital in Multan for further treatment.
The remaining affected children are receiving medical treatment at the DHQ Hospital, according to the information provided by officials.
School Owner Booked for Alleged Negligence
Police said the school’s owner, Chaudhry Aslam, fled following the incident and has been booked for alleged negligence.
A case has been registered on the complaint of District Education Officer Mazhar Madni.
According to police, the case has been registered under Sections 284, 285, 286 and 337-H of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The sections cited in the case relate to offences involving negligent handling of dangerous substances and other acts that may endanger public safety.
Authorities have begun investigating the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the storage of the chemical bottles and the safety arrangements at the school.
Inquiry Underway
The incident has prompted an investigation by police and district administration officials.
Authorities are expected to determine how the bottles containing the acidic chemical were stored in an open cupboard and whether required safety measures were being followed at the private school.
The condition of the injured children remains a key concern as they continue to receive medical treatment.
The incident also highlights the importance of properly securing hazardous chemicals in educational institutions, particularly where young children are present.
Officials will determine further action based on the findings of the ongoing inquiry and the circumstances established during the investigation.
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