Fifty-five infants were affected on Monday to varying degrees, apparently due to poisoning at an unlicensed daycare in Jerusalem located on the third floor of a residential building. Two of the infants were evacuated unconscious to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital and Shaare Zedek Medical Center after resuscitation efforts, where they were pronounced dead.
According to initial suspicions, the caregivers heated the facility using an open flame and failed to open windows for proper ventilation. Three caregivers were detained by police for questioning.
MDA medics and paramedics provided medical treatment at the scene and evacuated the two four-month-old infants to Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital while performing resuscitation efforts. Additional MDA teams remained at the site and were examining the other toddlers at the facility.
A spokesperson for the Israel Police said officers from the Jerusalem District were called following a report of a suspected hazardous materials incident, which led to the evacuation of a daycare center and life-saving treatment being administered to several infants.
Police officers, together with firefighters from the Israel Fire and Rescue Services, were working to evacuate the building, the statement said. The police called on the public to avoid the area, allow emergency and rescue forces to operate freely, and keep access roads clear.
