Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Breaking: Two Toddlers Dead After Mass Poisoning at Jerusalem Day Care
Emergency in Jerusalem: At least 55 toddlers suffer respiratory distress at a Romema daycare due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. At least two infants are undergoing CPR as police and fire crews evacuate the building.
A frantic rescue operation is underway in the Romema neighborhood of Jerusalem this afternoon, following a suspected mass poisoning event at a private daycare center that has left a dozen toddlers requiring urgent medical care.
Emergency first responders rushed to the facility on Ha-Mem Gimmel Street shortly before 1:00 PM, following reports of multiple infants suffering from severe respiratory distress. Magen David Adom (MDA) Director General Eli Bin confirmed that 12 toddlers were diagnosed with breathing difficulties at the scene.
The situation is critical: Paramedics are currently performing CPR on two infants. According to updates from United Hatzalah medics Mendy Ashkenazi, Akiva Angel, and Yossi Gotthold, one of the victims, a four-month-old baby, was transported to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital while undergoing resuscitation. Another six-month-old infant was found unconscious at the scene, with her condition described as critical.
Magen David Adom (MDA) Spokesperson Statement:
At 12:24 PM, a report was received at MDA's 101 dispatch center in the Jerusalem region regarding two unconscious infants at a daycare in Jerusalem.
MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and are currently evacuating two 4-month-old infants to Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Mount Scopus hospitals while performing CPR. MDA teams remain at the scene and are examining the remaining toddlers.
While the investigation is in its early stages, initial reports suggest a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) incident, specifically a severe Carbon Monoxide (CO) leak within the building. Fire and Rescue teams are currently operating inside the structure to locate the source of the leak and ensure the building is ventilated.
Dozens of children from the daycare, as well as those from adjacent kindergartens in the same building, have been hastily evacuated to the street to prevent further exposure.
The children are between 4 months - 3 years old.
The Jerusalem Police have declared the site a closed zone. "Police officers, together with Fire and Rescue fighters, are working to evacuate the building," a police spokesperson stated. Authorities are pleading with the public to stay away from Ha-Mem Gimmel Street to keep the arteries clear for ambulances and emergency vehicles.
Medical teams remain on the ground providing life-saving treatment to several other children who are conscious but suffering from the effects of the suspected inhalation.
UPDATE: The number of babies and toddlers injured during this disaster has risen to 55.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the daycare was in a private home and was operating without a license. The daycare teacher has been detained for questioning on suspicion of negligence.
The babies tragically died.
This was the first day of daycare for one of the babies who passed away.
This is a developing story.