Seventeen children and three adults were taken to the hospital after falling ill at a restaurant during a party. The incident occurred at a religious celebration in a restaurant located in Via Roggerone, Genoa, Italy. The individuals reportedly experienced symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, which were later diagnosed as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Multiple ambulances were dispatched to transport the affected individuals to various hospitals, including the Istituto Giannina Gaslini hospital, with the most severe cases being transferred to San Martino, which is equipped with specialized facilities like a hyperbaric chamber. The poisoning was attributed to inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a malfunctioning heating system, and the hyperbaric chamber was used to increase oxygen levels to counter the effects of the poisoning.
Giannina Gaslini Hospital has confirmed that all 20 individuals affected by carbon monoxide poisoning are currently receiving medical attention at the facility. According to the hospital, the patients are stable, under constant supervision, and receiving appropriate treatment, with some undergoing oxygen therapy in different departments as needed.
In a separate incident last month, a “major incident” was declared at a Marks & Spencer store in Charlton, southeast London, due to a suspected carbon monoxide leak. Firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide inside the store and conducted ventilation procedures to clear the area. Thirty people received treatment for chemical inhalation, with eleven individuals being hospitalized for further evaluation while the rest were treated and discharged on-site. The company has initiated an internal investigation to determine the cause of the leak.