89 Afghan girls sickened in third case of apparent gas poisoning at a school

89 Afghan girls sick in alleged school poisoning

MUHMUD RAQI, Afghanistan — Officials and doctors say 89 Afghan schoolgirls have been hospitalized in the third case of alleged gas poisoning in eastern Afghanistan in less than three weeks.

Dr. Aziz Agha says scores of students have been admitted with symptoms such as headaches, vomiting and shivering. Afgha is treating the girls in Kapisa province.

Interior Ministry Spokesman Zemeri Bashary says the girls were sent to the hospital after they arrived at school Tuesday to a strange smell in the yard. He says 89 schoolgirls were among the 94 patients. Three teachers and two guards are also sick.

The incident follows two cases of alleged gas poisoning — the most recent on Monday — at girls’ schools in neighboring Parwan province.