An unassuming science workshop at a school in Angamaly went awry when a working model of a volcano exploded and injured the students and a teacher. The incident happened at around 11.30 am Saturday in Holy Family High School Angamaly.
The workshop was conducted in the grounds near the back gate and the cycle shed of the school. According to reports, the volcano that exploded was made by covering a half feet long PVC pipe filled with explosive substance with layers of mud. The layers of mud appeared like a mountain with an opening on top for a volcano.
According to the police, the explosive substance was used to display the eruption effect for a longer time and a tile was used to sustain the fire that was lit to make the eruption happen.
Eyewitnesses to the incident told the Times of India that on explosion, the students who were standing around the model to watch were hit by pieces of tiles and stones.
Two students were admitted into a private hospital in the town while the remaining students suffered minor injuries. While one student sustained deep injury in his arm, another got injured in his eye. A total of 59 students between Classes 5 and 10 and a teacher were injured in the accident.
The police have registered a case against the school for negligent handling of explosive substances. Samples from the explosion have been sent to lab in Kakkanad for chemical analysis and to the forensic lab in Thiruvananthapuram and the reason for the explosion will be out after the report is released, said the police.
Volcanic eruption is a commonly used science experiment in schools. The effect caused by vinegar and baking soda is similar in appearance to lava flowing from a real volcano.