Three children attending a school in Basècles, Belgium, were hospitalized after allegedly ingesting candy thrown at them by two women during the children’s lunch break at a kindergarten. Remarkably, the two women were allegedly dressed like clowns.
The incident occurred on Friday at the Saint-François school in Basècles, which left the children who ingested the candy vomiting, complaining of stomach aches, and breaking out in rashes, according to French outlet SudInfo. Some of the children suffered from a fever as well.
“I was told about possible poisoning,” a father told the Belgian news site.
A teacher who was watching the children during the lunch break said she “saw two people, dressed as clowns, throwing sweets over the school gate,” which was closed at the time. The school principal says the teacher immediately asked the children not to eat any candy, but it was too late. Eighteen of the children had already rushed to the candy and began ingesting them.
According to SudInfo, one of the victims was only a 2.5-year-old child, Laurie, who was photographed with her father for the article.
Half an hour later, the children began reporting worrying symptoms, which resulted in ambulances being dispatched to the school. Medics examined the children and sent three of them to the hospital for further testing.
By the afternoon, the children were discharged.
Other children who are believed to have eaten candy were sent home and told by medical authorities to monitor their children for 24 hours and head to the emergency room if any symptoms develop.
Police are currently investigating the identity of the two clowns who were spotted giving the children candy.
“It’s pitiful to see that some people try to attack children! They are little ones in kindergarten,” added the school director.
The mayor of the town tried to reassure by not wanting to jump to conclusions: “The candy has been sent for analysis. The possibility of food poisoning or Covid, which is on the rise, will also be examined.”
