Seventeen children and three adults were taken to the hospital after falling ill during a party at a restaurant. The incident occurred at a religious celebration in a restaurant located in Via Roggerone, Genoa, Italy. The individuals experienced symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, which were later attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Multiple ambulances were dispatched to transport the affected individuals to hospitals, including the Istituto Giannina Gaslini hospital. Those in critical condition were transferred to San Martino hospital, equipped with specialized facilities like a hyperbaric chamber to aid in treating carbon monoxide poisoning.
The source of the illness was traced back to a malfunctioning heating system that emitted carbon monoxide fumes. The use of hyperbaric chambers helped increase oxygen levels in the patients to counter the poisoning effects.
The Giannina Gaslini Hospital reported that all 20 individuals affected by carbon monoxide poisoning were receiving treatment at the medical center. They mentioned that the patients were stable and under constant monitoring by healthcare professionals. Some were undergoing oxygen therapy in different departments based on their specific needs.
In a separate incident last month, a suspected carbon monoxide leak at the Marks & Spencer store in Charlton, southeast London, led to a “major incident” declaration. Firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide and ventilated the store to clear the gas. Approximately 30 people received treatment for chemical inhalation, with 11 individuals requiring hospitalization for further evaluation. The company initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the leak.