At least 27 elementary school kids dead after eating snack. - Nubblies.net Forums

03-09-2005, 03:21 PM

At least 27 kids dead after eating snack at school in Philippines
12:17 PM EST Mar 09
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - At least 27 elementary school children died and another 100 were hospitalized after eating a snack of cassava - a root that's poisonous if not prepared correctly - during morning recess Wednesday in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Francisca Doliente said her nine-year-old niece Arve Tamor was given some of the deep-fried caramelized cassava by a classmate who bought it from a regular vendor outside the San Jose school.

"Her friend is gone. She died," Doliente told The Associated Press, adding that her niece was undergoing treatment.

The roots of the cassava plant, a major crop in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins A, B and C. However, it is poisonous without proper preparation. Eaten raw, the human digestive system will convert part of it into cyanide. Even two cassava roots contain a fatal dose.

"Some said they took only two bites because it tasted bitter and the effects were felt five to 10 minutes later," said Dr. Harold Garcia of Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in the nearby town of Talibon, where 47 patients were taken.

The victims suffered severe stomach pain, then vomiting and diarrhea. They were taken to at least four hospitals near the school in Mabini, a town on Bohol island, about 610 kilometres southeast of Manila.

Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances said 27 students were confirmed dead. Treatment was delayed because the nearest hospital was more than 30 kilometres away.

Grace Vallente, 26, said her seven-year-old nephew Noel died en route to the hospital and that her nine-year-old niece Roselle was undergoing treatment.

"There are many parents here," she said from L.G. Cotamura Community Hospital in Bohol's Ubay town. "The kids who died are lined up on beds. Everybody's grief-stricken."

Dr. Leta Cutamora confirmed 14 dead at the hospital and 35 others admitted for treatment.

Dr. Nenita Po, chief of the government-run Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, said 13 were brought there, including the 68-year-old woman who prepared the food with another woman.

A specimen of the cassava was taken for inspection at the local Crime Laboratory Group.

MAGICLIT · 03-09-2005, 03:45 PM

Its stories like this that make me feel so lucky to have been born in the USA

Niger Angelus · 03-09-2005, 03:53 PM

Yeah, that would suck, age 9.

THEINCREDIBLEdork · 03-09-2005, 03:55 PM

the Butcher · 03-09-2005, 06:29 PM

damn, i wish i could get a substance that could be converted to cyanide. if only...

sim_flex_x · 03-09-2005, 08:55 PM

horseradish has traces of cyanide in it. It has to be ground up outside or while wearing a gas mask

that's one of the few things I remember from my botany class

03-09-2005, 03:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a	At least 27 kids dead after eating snack at school in Philippines 12:17 PM EST Mar 09 MANILA, Philippines (AP) - At least 27 elementary school children died and another 100 were hospitalized after eating a snack of cassava - a root that's poisonous if not prepared correctly - during morning recess Wednesday in the southern Philippines, officials said. Francisca Doliente said her nine-year-old niece Arve Tamor was given some of the deep-fried caramelized cassava by a classmate who bought it from a regular vendor outside the San Jose school. "Her friend is gone. She died," Doliente told The Associated Press, adding that her niece was undergoing treatment. The roots of the cassava plant, a major crop in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world, are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins A, B and C. However, it is poisonous without proper preparation. Eaten raw, the human digestive system will convert part of it into cyanide. Even two cassava roots contain a fatal dose. "Some said they took only two bites because it tasted bitter and the effects were felt five to 10 minutes later," said Dr. Harold Garcia of Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in the nearby town of Talibon, where 47 patients were taken. The victims suffered severe stomach pain, then vomiting and diarrhea. They were taken to at least four hospitals near the school in Mabini, a town on Bohol island, about 610 kilometres southeast of Manila. Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances said 27 students were confirmed dead. Treatment was delayed because the nearest hospital was more than 30 kilometres away. Grace Vallente, 26, said her seven-year-old nephew Noel died en route to the hospital and that her nine-year-old niece Roselle was undergoing treatment. "There are many parents here," she said from L.G. Cotamura Community Hospital in Bohol's Ubay town. "The kids who died are lined up on beds. Everybody's grief-stricken." Dr. Leta Cutamora confirmed 14 dead at the hospital and 35 others admitted for treatment. Dr. Nenita Po, chief of the government-run Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, said 13 were brought there, including the 68-year-old woman who prepared the food with another woman. A specimen of the cassava was taken for inspection at the local Crime Laboratory Group.
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a

03-09-2005, 03:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
MAGICLIT Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: city of sin Posts: 2,753 Internets: 10	Its stories like this that make me feel so lucky to have been born in the USA
	I am all in favor of a ruling class, especially since I rule.

03-09-2005, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	Yeah, that would suck, age 9.
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-09-2005, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
THEINCREDIBLEdork Emperor Meow Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 9,350 Internets: 290966
	#YOLO

03-09-2005, 06:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
the Butcher Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: that one place...you know, with the fire and damnation? oh yeh, hell. Posts: 895 Internets: 10	damn, i wish i could get a substance that could be converted to cyanide. if only...
	meet me at the corner of 5th and pontiac. and make sure that no one else is with you, if you wish to see them alive again.

03-09-2005, 08:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
sim_flex_x Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: St. Pete Posts: 690 Internets: 10	horseradish has traces of cyanide in it. It has to be ground up outside or while wearing a gas mask that's one of the few things I remember from my botany class