Two infants, aged four months, have tragically passed away, and approximately 55 children have fallen ill due to suspected food poisoning at a daycare center in Jerusalem. Emergency services responded to the incident on Ha-Mag Street in the Romema neighborhood, where the two babies were discovered unconscious. Despite efforts by paramedics at the scene and subsequent treatment at Haare Zedek and Hadassah Mount Scopus hospitals, the infants could not be saved.
Over 25 affected children are receiving medical care at Shaare Zedek hospital, with additional support provided by medical, nursing, social work, and administrative teams. Initial concerns of hazardous material exposure led to evacuations, but investigations have now pointed towards food poisoning as the likely cause of the tragic deaths and illnesses.
Emergency responders detailed the critical condition of the infants, emphasizing the swift and coordinated efforts to provide necessary medical attention. The Education Ministry has initiated an investigation into the incident, which occurred at a private daycare facility within a residential building in Romema. Authorities urge residents to avoid the area as specialized teams work to identify the source of contamination and ensure safety measures are in place.
Law enforcement and firefighting teams are collaborating to secure the affected premises and allow for necessary operations. Following thorough monitoring and testing, no hazardous substances were detected at the daycare center. Despite the challenges faced, the response teams remain dedicated to safeguarding public health and safety in the wake of this heartbreaking event.