‘A Mystery’: No Abnormal Findings Found in Tests on Infants; Investigators Examine Air-Conditioning Theory
As investigators continue probing the deadly daycare disaster in Yerushalayim, authorities say that initial medical and environmental tests have not revealed any abnormal findings that would explain the sudden deaths of two infants.
Emergency and rescue forces, along with the Israel Police, are focusing on determining what led to the tragedy in which two babies died at a daycare center in the Romema neighborhood. Early suspicions of poisoning or exposure to hazardous substances have, for now, been largely ruled out.
Israel Fire and Rescue Services reported that examinations conducted at the daycare using specialized detection equipment did not identify the presence of dangerous or toxic materials. “From the checks carried out with designated instruments, no values indicating hazardous or poisonous substances were detected at the site,” officials said.
In addition, blood tests performed on the infants and toddlers evacuated from the daycare to hospitals in Jerusalem did not show any unusual findings. Despite this, officials emphasized that the possibility of exposure to harmful substances has not been completely dismissed and remains under review.
One of the central theories now being examined is whether the air conditioner in the room where the infants were staying was set to heating mode without adequate ventilation, potentially contributing to the fatal outcome.
Medical officials at Hadassah Medical Center said that all infants and toddlers brought to Hadassah hospitals following the incident will remain hospitalized overnight for observation. A total of 43 children were admitted: 25 to Hadassah Mount Scopus and 18 to Hadassah Ein Kerem. All are reported to be in mild and stable condition and fully conscious.
Professor Yoram Weiss, director-general of Hadassah Medical Center, said that once the scope and nature of the incident became clear, the hospitals declared a mass-casualty event. He said trauma teams were rapidly reinforced by specialists in pediatrics, emergency medicine, toxicology, respiratory care, and intensive care. At Hadassah Ein Kerem, hyperbaric chamber and ECMO teams were placed on full standby as a precaution.
According to Weiss, the swift and professional response enabled rapid diagnosis and initial treatment for all the affected infants and toddlers. Throughout the day, social workers at both Hadassah hospitals provided ongoing support to the children and their parents, helping reunite families and addressing their needs. National service volunteers and additional staff also assisted, offering comfort and care to the children until family members arrived.
The Israel Police said the investigation is continuing. Yerushalayim District Commander Maj. Gen. Avshalom Peled told officers that the case is “a very tragic incident,” adding that investigators are working to uncover the truth while acting with great sensitivity toward the families, including efforts to allow burial of the infants as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection also issued a statement rejecting rumors circulating online. The ministry said that inspections at the daycare ruled out a hazardous materials incident. An emergency officer from the Yerushalayim District was dispatched to the scene, and based on updates from Fire and Rescue Services, the presence of dangerous substances was definitively excluded. The ministry urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely only on official updates.
{Matzav.com}
