School lab 'explosion' injures children, as parents demand answers

Updated 12.55pm with Ministry statement

At least three students needed medical treatment after a glass flask "exploded" during a science experiment gone wrong this week, parents have said. 

The incident occurred in a Year 9 class at Zokrija Secondary School in Mosta this past Wednesday, concerned parents told Times of Malta.

The class was reportedly carrying out an experiment in which methylated spirit is transferred from one vessel to another when a glass flask “exploded”, sending shards flying across the room and injuring children in the process.

Parents say children were not wearing safety glasses at the time.

One of the students had to be rushed to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance after a shard of glass hit her eye. She now has blurred vision in that eye but doctors expect her to make a full recovery, parents said.

Another child suffered various cuts caused by shards of exploding glass while a third suffered a bad cut on her forehead. Parents said other children also suffered minor cuts. 

The mother of one of the injured students said ambulance staff had to remove pieces of glass lodged in her daughter’s forehead.

Iana Stserbakov said shards of glass also hit her daughter’s prescription glasses, narrowly missing her eyes.

“Those glasses likely saved her eyesight. The impact mark will forever remain as a reminder of what could have been.”

'We were never told to buy goggles'

Parents are now demanding answers, saying the incident was preventable.

They told Times of Malta that they were never asked to purchase lab safety glasses for their children and were not informed that the children would be taking part in a science experiment that day.

“I’m not saying the school must provide these glasses. We can provide them, but we were never informed.”

“The children were given no safety glasses. None. We were also told that students only perform three experiments a year. But you don’t need three experiments to risk a child’s life. One is enough to change a family forever. This incident was preventable,” the mother said.

Another parent said his son had returned home with his shirt covered in blood.

"Earlier this year, we lost five family members in a nightclub fire back home in Macedonia, so when we were told our son was involved in an accident it brought back all the trauma," he said.

Parents of impacted children have now filed a police report about the incident and are taking legal advice. They say police told them they were not informed about the incident by the school. 

Ministry confirms incident

In response to questions, the Education Ministry confirmed that one student had suffered "an eye injury caused by a glass fragment." 

It said protective goggles are used in biology classes "when required" and that goggles are "purchased by parents, not provided by schools" for hygiene reasons.

"A preliminary incident report was compiled immediately after the event and has been forwarded to the Directorate for STEM and VET Subjects for further investigation and recommendations. All necessary services are currently providing support to the students involved," the ministry said.