A classroom science experiment gone wrong has injured several students at a primary school in Sydney, Australia.
According to reports, at least two students were taken by ambulance to a hospital with severe burns. Another nine people are thought to have received minor burns.
According to initial reports, the experiment used sodium bicarbonate and methylated spirits, according to 9news.
At the scene, helicopters, paramedics, and fire trucks were seen responding.
On Monday, around 13:00 local time (02:00 GMT), the incident occurred at Manly West Public School.
New South Wales Ambulance Acting Superintendent Phil Templemen said the wind impacted the experiment and blew around some of the chemicals that were used.
The children – believed to be aged between 10 and 11, according to reports – suffered burns to their bodies, including on their face, chest, lower abdomen and legs, said the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).
One teacher was also treated for minor injuries.
Several parents who dropped by the school on Monday afternoon said they had questions as to why the experiment took place, but added that the school had got things “under control”.
“We heard online what happened, it was a bit worrying but everything seemed to be under control quite quickly,” Mich Ashton, a parent at the school, told the BBC.
Another parent, who did not want to be named, said it was a “routine science experiment” that occurred, adding that the teacher involved was “much loved”.
One resident told the SMH that a teacher had emerged from the school earlier to speak to a group of people who had gathered outside.
“The teacher who addressed us said it was a science experiment that went wrong and some chemical burns were involved,” said Tyson Atkins.
One popular school science experiment that can be found online, called the Carbon Sugar Snake, uses methylated spirits and baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate.
It involves mixing sugar with baking soda, placing a small amount of the mixture in sand soaked with methylated spirits, and igniting the concoction.
However, it was not immediately clear what kind of experiment the school had conducted.