50 students collapse after quake drill

MANILA, Philippines - At least 50 students were hospitalized after they collapsed following an earthquake drill at Tambo High School in Parañaque City shortly before noon yesterday.

Joey Bejer, who heads Barangay Tambo’s rescue and fire unit, told The STAR that the students complained of dizziness and difficulty in breathing after they returned to their classrooms in the four-story school building following the 15-minute drill. The school has a population of more than 1,000 students.

Bejer said most of the hospitalized students have been discharged, but two were still confined due to asthma attacks.

“Some of the students were hungry because they had not taken their lunch and the temperature may have contributed to the incident,” he said.

He said school officials had coordinated with the barangay for the drill, which was scheduled today, but the exercise was moved up without city and barangay officials being notified.

Bejer said they arrived at past 10 a.m. to check the school premises when they were told that the drill was ongoing. He said that as soon as they were out of the school, students began collapsing and they had to call ambulances to rush the victims to hospitals.

School officials could not be reached for comment. Barangay officials met yesterday to discuss legal action against school authorities, Bejer said.

He added that parents rushed to the school as soon as news of the incident spread.

“The barangay will make its report and recommendation (today),” Bejer said.