Taliban denies poison gas attack as schoolgirls are treated at hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.About 70 pupils at a girls’ school have been admitted to hospital with suspected gas poisoning.
The students had reported smelling gas during classes at the Bibi Maryam School in Takhar province’s capital, Taluqan.
“They were complaining of nausea,” said Sulaiman Moradi, spokesman for the governor of Takhar Province. “The police are investigating.”
The schoolgirls were taken to hospital, with most released soon afterwards, though several remained in a critical condition yesterday, hospital spokesman, Dr Jamil Frotan, said.
“We have already sent samples of their blood to the ministry of public health and it will soon become clear what the reason for their illness was,” Dr Frotan said.
Mr Moradi initially said he blamed “enemies of the government and the country” for the suspected poisoning, which he believed was an attempt to stop girls from going to school, according to Reuters. However, he later said the pupils had become hysterical, and there was no evidence of poisoning.
The apparent poisoning came three days after more than a dozen students were taken ill in another girls’ secondary school in Taluqan. “For girls to be afraid and for parents to be afraid to send their girls to school is perfectly natural,” said Heather Barr, Afghanistan researcher for Human Rights Watch. The Taliban has denied any connection to the suspected poisonings.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments