Thirteen students from the New Silver City Secondary School were yesterday loaded into a minibus and taken to a church for prayers after they suffered afflictions that other students from the same school complained of on Wednesday.

The students, all girls, were accompanied by parents, guardians, teachers, a schools’ welfare officer and other officials from the Department of Education. On Wednesday twelve students, mostly girls, were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex after falling unconscious or experienced vomiting spells. The students had complained of abdominal pains and other weaknesses some time after the lunch break.

When Stabroek News arrived on the scene the students were being bundled into a minibus as they cried out in pain. Some appeared lifeless and leaned on each other while others screamed as the adults tried to calm them. When this newspaper visited the hospital a student, accompanied by her sister turned up seeking help. The girl said a bus had brought her sister home after she collapsed on the road. She was treated and sent home.

Following the incident school was immediately dismissed. While most of the students ran home in fear, some lingered in the compound. Stabroek News’ efforts to contact the medical officer about the results of tests done on the students treated on Wednesday, proved futile. However, the Education department said it is working closely with parents to investigate and return the situation to normalcy.