Two babies die in Jerusalem daycare tragedy as dozens of children hospitalised
Unlicensed Romema nursery under investigation after infants die and emergency services evacuate 55 children
Two four-month-old babies have died following a mass medical emergency at an unlicensed daycare in Jerusalem’s Haredi-majority Romema neighbourhood, as investigators examine whether a faulty heating system caused carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emergency services were called to a nursery operating from several adjacent apartments on Ha’Mem Gimel Street on Monday morning after babies and toddlers were found unconscious. The two infants were rushed to hospital in critical condition, where doctors later declared their deaths.
Magen David Adom (MDA) confirmed that 55 other children were injured and taken to hospitals across the city for treatment. Medics described repeated emergency evacuations as teams removed babies from the building.
One of the infants who died was attending the daycare on their first day, according to the ultra-Orthodox Behadrei Haredim news site.
An MDA paramedic described the scene, saying: “This is a serious incident. We were called to the scene to treat a four-month-old baby who was found unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. We began by providing medical treatment, which included performing CPR and evacuation.
“We were then called back to the scene to treat another baby who was unconscious, without a pulse and not breathing. We rushed to the scene with large MDA forces that arrived in ambulances. And we began evacuating all the babies who were there. MDA teams are on site and are prepared to provide medical treatment if necessary.”
Three caregivers have been detained for questioning, police said, as authorities investigate whether the incident was linked to a malfunctioning heating system. Police later confirmed that hazardous materials had been ruled out as a cause.
The Education Ministry said it had not been aware of the daycare’s existence and had never received a licensing request. According to Kan public broadcaster, the nursery cared for children aged between four months and three years.
Police initially treated the incident as a possible chemical exposure and evacuated the building. In a statement, police said:
“Jerusalem District police were called to 10th Street in Jerusalem, following a report of a suspected chemical weapons incident, as well as the evacuation of a daycare centre and life-saving operations for several toddlers.
“The police, together with firefighters, are working to evacuate the building. The police call on the public to avoid approaching the building, allow emergency and rescue forces to operate, and keep the traffic lanes clear.”
Hospitals across Jerusalem activated emergency protocols to care for the injured children, while social workers assisted affected families. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
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