German secondary school Eleven students injured in pepper spray incident

Bornheim · Several ambulances descended upon the Alexander-von-Humboldt secondary school on Wednesday afternoon. Eleven students were injured in an incident involving pepper spray.

Several ambulances descended upon the Alexander-von-Humboldt secondary school on Wednesday afternoon. Eleven students were injured in an incident involving pepper spray. There was quite a commotion at the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium (secondary school) on Wednesday afternoon when eleven students from Year 6 suffered eye and respiratory irritation because pepper spray had been used on an elevator.

Police spokesperson Simon Rott said six of the students were taken to hospital for outpatient treatment; the other five were treated by paramedics and released into the care of their parents. As school director Christian Dubois described, the affected students had been in the main building near the elevator where the pepper spray was used.

Who sprayed it and why remains unclear. “We do not know whether it was one person or more, or whether they were from inside or outside the school,” said Dubois. Police took photos and secured traces. The incident was apparently not intended to be targeted at any individual or group of students.

The school director said he could only hope that the person who caused the suffering was clear about the consequences of his or her actions. He said it was not even close to being a joke and he was “really stunned” about the incident. It took place between 12:30 and 1 pm while school was in session.

After the incident happened, all the doors were quickly opened. The smell of the irritant permeated the air. School lessons continued for those in classrooms not affected. Dubois had praise for the school helpers who came to the aid of the students. “It was remarkable how calm they were as they treated the students,” he said. “They took them in their arms and were just there for them,” he added.

Paramedics also had praise for the first responders at the school. The school is looking in to the incident and will remain in contact with police for any possible consequences resulting from the findings.

(Orig. text: Axel Vogel, Antje Jagodzinski)

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