136 pupils at Zambian school hospitalized after inhaling poisonous liquid

At least 136 pupils at a school in Zambia's Nchanga town in Copperbelt Province have been hospitalized after inhaling a suspected poisonous substance thrown in their classroom, the police said on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

The incident happened early Tuesday at Buyantanshi Technical School where pupils developed coughs while others collapsed after inhaling the substance.

Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata-Katongo said investigations have since been launched and the number could increase as more pupils were being taken to the hospital from homes, adding that apart from pupils who were in the classroom, all those who went to check what was happening in the class were also affected.

She said in a release that a bottle labeled "Blue Blue perfume" containing unknown liquid believed to have been thrown in a bin by unknown person has since been handed to the police.

"The condition of the victims has been described as stable and no death has been recorded," she said, adding that the bottle will be taken for analysis.

Last year, Zambia experienced gassing incidents where unknown people sprayed unknown chemicals in people's homes as well as public institutions.