School snack leaves 27 children dead, 100 in hospital in Philippines

AT least 27 elementary school children died and another 100 were rushed to hospital after eating a snack during morning break in the southern Philippines yesterday.

Francisca Doliente said her nine-year-old niece Arve Tamor was given some of the deep-fried caramelised cassava by a classmate who bought it from a regular vendor outside the San Jose school.

“Her friend is gone. She died,” Doliente said

The victims suffered severe stomach pain, then vomiting and diarrhoea. They were taken to at least four hospitals near the school in Mabini, a town on Bohol island, 380 miles south-east of Manila.

Philip Fuderanan, top aide to Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances, said 27 pupils were confirmed dead. “Some said they took only two bites because it tasted bitter and the effects were felt five to 10 minutes later,” said hospital doctor Harold Garcia. Grace Vallente, 26, said her seven-year-old nephew Noel died en route to the hospital and that her nine-year-old niece Roselle was still undergoing treatment.

“There are many parents here,” she said at a hospital. “The kids who died are lined up on beds. Everybody’s grief-stricken.”

Cassava is a tropical, starchy staple of South American origin and its fleshy roots contain poisonous compounds that must be removed before the plant is pounded into a type of flour.

Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances, said 27 children were confirmed dead. Treatment was delayed because the nearest hospital was 20 miles away.

One of those in hospital was the 68-year-old woman who prepared the food with another woman.