Thiruvananthapuram: At least nine students and a teacher of Government Higher Secondary School, Punnamoodu at Kalliyoor here were admitted to Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday after one of them reportedly released pepper spray in the classroom. The students complained of respiratory distress, shortness of breath and uneasiness and were initially taken to Nemom taluk hospital. They were then referred to General Hospital, from where they were shifted to Medical College.

Dr Jayachandran, Medical College Superintendent, said that the students are being treated at the casualty. Their condition is stable. Meanwhile, one student, who has a history of breathing difficulties, is under observation in the intensive care unit.

Rani, Principal of GHSS, Punnamoodu, said that the incident was reported after the interval. "After the break, one of the teachers entered the classroom and saw students in distress. Some of them rushed out of the classroom and fainted. We immediately took them to the hospital. At present, we are trying to identify any signs of uneasiness in other students," the Principal said.

The school authorities said that two teachers also complained of shortness of breath, and they were given medical care. The doctors asked for the bottle to identify the cause of uneasiness, and the use of pepper spray was confirmed. The school authorities said that they will look into the circumstances in which pepper spray was brought to the classroom.

Health Minister Veena George has instructed the superintendent of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital to ensure proper treatment for the students admitted after the incident.