Seventeen children and three adults were taken to the hospital after falling ill at a restaurant during a party. The incident occurred at a dining establishment in Via Roggerone, Genoa, Italy, where the children, accompanied by their parents, reportedly experienced symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, leading to a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Multiple ambulances were dispatched to transfer the affected individuals to various hospitals, including the Istituto Giannina Gaslini hospital, with the most critical cases receiving treatment at San Martino, which is equipped with a hyperbaric chamber to assist in managing carbon monoxide poisoning. The illness was attributed to inhaling carbon monoxide emissions from a malfunctioning heating system, and the hyperbaric chamber was utilized to boost oxygen levels to counter the poisoning.
Giannina Gaslini Hospital has confirmed that all 20 individuals affected by the carbon monoxide exposure are currently receiving care at the medical facility, with the most severe cases having returned from San Martino. The hospital reported that all patients are in stable condition and are being closely monitored by medical staff. Some are undergoing oxygen therapy and have been admitted to different departments based on their specific healthcare needs.
In a recent incident last month, a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a Marks & Spencer store in Charlton, southeast London, prompted a “major incident” declaration. Firefighters detected heightened levels of carbon monoxide within the store and conducted ventilation procedures to clear the area. Approximately 30 individuals received treatment for chemical inhalation, with 11 individuals requiring hospitalization for further evaluation while the remaining 19 were treated and released at the scene. The company initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the leak.
