Paralyzing spray causes poisoning of 47 students at a school in Marracuene

Forty-seven students from the Santa Montanha Community School, in the Marracuene district, Maputo province, were treated at health facilities after being exposed to a paralyzing spray activated by a student inside the classroom. Six students remain under medical observation, but are out of danger.

The incident occurred during school hours and caused panic among students, teachers, and school staff. According to information released by the school administration, a student brought a paralyzing spray belonging to her aunt to school and kept it in her bag without informing the school authorities.

Under circumstances still under investigation, a classmate removed the object from the bag and activated the device inside the classroom. Witnesses report that the student intended to play a prank on his classmates on his birthday, without being aware of the risks associated with the product.

Moments after the spray was applied, several students began experiencing difficulty breathing, burning eyes, dizziness, and a general feeling of malaise. The environment quickly became unsuitable for the students to remain in, forcing the evacuation of the room and the activation of emergency services.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the affected students were referred to health units in the region, where they received medical assistance. The official count indicates that 47 students were affected by the gas released by the spray.

The management of the Santa Montanha Community School confirmed the incident and assured that the situation was promptly brought under control thanks to the intervention of teachers, healthcare professionals, and other agents involved in the emergency response.

Of the students assisted, most were discharged after medical observation. Only six remain hospitalized for clinical follow-up, although healthcare professionals assure that their condition is not a cause for major concern and that their progress is favorable.

The case has caused concern among parents and members of the school community, who are advocating for stronger security measures at school entrances and intensified awareness campaigns about the risks associated with transporting and handling potentially dangerous objects.

The owner of the spray, the aunt of the student who brought it to school, went to the school after learning what had happened. According to information gathered at the scene, she explained that she uses the equipment for self-defense because of the late hours she returns home.

However, the educational and relevant authorities are monitoring the case with a view to fully clarifying the circumstances of the incident and adopting measures to prevent the recurrence of similar situations in educational establishments.

The incident reignites the debate about school safety and the need to reinforce student education about the consequences of seemingly harmless acts that can jeopardize the health and physical integrity of dozens of people.