Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi announced on Friday that it was treating 32 students from Tuyen Quang City in the namesake northern province who mistakenly consumed rat poison, thinking it was syrup.

The 32 students, mostly from grades one to five of Phu Binh Elementary School in Tuyen Quang City, were admitted to Bach Mai Hospital’s Pediatric and Poison Control Centers on Wednesday evening.

Urine tests conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed that the children had been poisoned by fluoroacetate, a highly toxic rat poison.

According to the school and parents, the incident occurred on Tuesday when a student found plastic tubes containing chemicals in a bag on a tea hill near the school. 

Mistaking the contents for syrup, the students shared the liquid. 

The children reported drinking red liquid from the tubes, which smelled like syrup but had a bitter taste. 

Seven children consumed a significant amount -- ranging from one-third of a tube to a full tube -- while the remaining children ingested only one to three drops.

Many of them later exhibited symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even convulsions, as well as potential brain and heart damage.

Of the 32 children receiving treatment at Bach Mai Hospital, seven are in critical condition due to the amount of chemicals they ingested.

In addition, five students are being treated at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi.

Doctors have conducted urgent tests, including toxicology screenings, echocardiograms, and MRIs.

The children’s conditions are under close observation, but doctors say it will take several days to fully evaluate their prognosis.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the source of the chemicals and are working to prevent future incidents.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of Bach Mai Hospital’s Poison Control Center, explained that fluoroacetate is a poison originating in China, often found in unlabeled plastic or glass tubes. 

Just a few drops are enough to cause severe brain and heart damage, and in some cases, death. 

The substance, once banned, has recently reappeared on unofficial retail channels.

Dr. Nguyen also noted that Phu Binh Elementary School is cooperating with authorities to collect any remaining chemicals in the area surrounding the school and nearby campuses. 

He urged parents to monitor their children closely for any unusual symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if they suspect chemical exposure.

This incident serves as a reminder of safety risks in schools and surrounding areas. 

Dr. Nguyen stressed the need to strengthen control over toxic chemicals, particularly in rural areas, to protect children from unforeseen dangers.

This follows a similar incident less than two months ago, when several children at a kindergarten in Lai Chau Province mistakenly consumed rat poison, thinking it was candy.

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