Several students were injured after a classroom science experiment went wrong at a primary school in Sydney, Australia.
At least two students were rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering severe burns, reports said. Nine others are believed to have suffered superficial burns.
Initial reports indicate that sodium bicarbonate and methylated spirits were involved in the experiment, JEE News said.
Helicopters, paramedics and fire trucks were seen responding to the scene.
The incident happened at Manly West Public School at around 13:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Monday.
New South Wales Ambulance Acting Superintendent Phil Templeman said wind affected the experiment and blew away some of the chemicals used.
The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) said the children – said to be aged between 10 and 11 – reportedly suffered burns to their bodies, including their faces, chests, lower abdomen and legs.
A teacher also sustained minor injuries.
A resident told JEE News that a teacher came out to speak to a group of people gathered outside.
“The teacher who addressed us said it was a science experiment that went wrong and some chemicals burned,” Tyson Atkins said.
A popular school science experiment that can be found online, called the Carbon Sugar Snake, uses methylated spirits and baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate.
It involves mixing sugar with baking soda, pouring a small amount of the mixture into sand soaked in methylated spirits, and igniting the mixture.
However, it is not yet clear what kind of experiment the school had conducted.
