Seventeen children and three adults were swiftly taken to the hospital after falling ill at a restaurant gathering. The group, including parents and youngsters, were attending a religious event at a restaurant in Via Roggerone, Genoa, Italy, when they began experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, leading to the discovery of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Multiple ambulances were required to transport the affected individuals to various hospitals, with some being admitted to the Istituto Giannina Gaslini hospital and others to San Martino, which offers specialized care including a hyperbaric chamber for treatment.
The illness was attributed to inhaling carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning heating system, and the use of hyperbaric chambers helped increase oxygen levels to counter the poisoning.
A recent update from Giannina Gaslini Hospital confirmed that all 20 individuals affected by the carbon monoxide exposure are being cared for at the facility, with the most severely impacted patients being discharged from San Martino.
The hospital stated that all patients are in stable condition, with continuous monitoring by healthcare professionals ensuring their well-being. Some are receiving oxygen therapy and are being treated in different departments based on individual needs.
Following the necessary hyperbaric chamber treatment, certain patients have already completed their therapy and returned from San Martino Hospital. Discharge procedures are subject to a 24-hour observation period, with gradual release expected over the coming hours.
In a separate incident last month at a Marks & Spencer store in Charlton, southeast London, a suspected carbon monoxide leak prompted a “major incident” declaration. Firefighters detected elevated carbon monoxide levels, leading to the treatment of 30 people for chemical inhalation. Eleven individuals were hospitalized for further evaluation, while the remaining 19 were treated on-site and released. The company initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the leak.