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Twenty-one people were taken to hospital in Ichikawa, Hyogo Prefecture, after they became ill due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning during dinner at a Japanese-style inn on Sunday night.
According to police, the diners consisted of parents and teachers of the the PTA enjoying a new year dinner party. Police say the group had booked the inn's entire dining room, TBS reported.
A large pot was placed over a charcoal fire in a traditional Japanese-style sunken hearth in the middle of the room at around 6:30 p.m. A short time later, the group began to complain of lightheadedness, nausea and headaches. Police say that all 21 patrons were transported to hospital at around 8 p.m., TBS reported.
Investigating officers told the press that the windows in the room were shut and that the employees had forgotten to switch on the extractor fans. Without a ventilation system in the room, police believe a build up of carbon monoxide is likely to have occurred.
Doctors say that the group's symptoms are not severe and that they are expected to make a full recovery.
© Japan Today
17 Comments
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Kapuna
No science or chemistry teachers at the dinner?
Disillusioned
My comment is, "No comment!"
GW
all these people need to return to the classroom to LEARN, doesnt appear to be a teacher in the bunch, DOH!
Himajin
In a restaurant, do you check to see if the ventilation is on?
Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless and in the initial stages non-irritating as well....how were the chemistry teachers supposed to know?
ExportExpert
Common sense was absent it seems.
Elbuda Mexicano
THEY FORGOT TO TURN ON the VENTILATION SYSTEM?? What kind of IDIOTS work at this place?? These people are LUCKY they did not die!!! Never going there again, oh, never been there and heck no, never would go to such a restaurant!
gogogo
This is news? Someone forgot to turn on a fan?
some14some
what about restaurant staff? chef? all safe, i guess. btw, what's the name of that restaurant?
tmarie
Perhaps the staff had a grudge against the teachers? Teachers at a PTA dinner.... shudder...
Yubaru
To the editors as well, exhaust fans is what they are commonly called.
Elbuda Mexicano
Call it what ever you want, if those fumes add up and they are strong enough, you will die and this happens every year, so I say these folk got really lucky this time.
CrazyJoe
Restaurants that use charcoal fire should be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm.
kurtp
Reminds me of my Japanese studies in Fukuoka years ago, where the teachers would never open the classroom windows, or the yoga lessons I attended in Ginza, again I had to ask for the A/C to be turned on.... there's a surprising lack about getting fresh air in Japan - or is it just me?
tmarie
there's a surprising lack about getting fresh air in Japan - or is it just me?
Just you. Usually I find they have the windows wide open, the doors open and all the talk about airing the place out...
MaboDofuIsSpicy
extractor
Sounds like we are at the dentist.
Himajin
Not in my neck of the woods! Here, no matter how cold it is, everybody opens up all their windows every morning. What a waste of energy, to reheat the house back up from 3-4C every morning.