The victims were part of a school group that was spending the night at the institution’s facilities.

The emergency alert was received around 12:30 am, triggering a response operation involving 26 personnel and 14 support vehicles, including resources from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and fire departments.

An Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER) from São José Hospital was also on-site to conduct triage and provide initial medical care to those affected.

After receiving initial aid on the school premises, the patients were distributed among and transported to the emergency departments of Santa Maria Hospital (in the capital) and Fernando Fonseca Hospital (Amadora-Sintra) for medical monitoring and evaluation.

Public health authorities and emergency services are continuing technical and sanitary investigations to identify the source and specific cause of the food contamination.