This Tuesday, several students from Chatt Essalem college suffered discomfort and asphyxiation after inhaling toxic gases coming from a unit of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT).
Some children lost consciousness, while others were hospitalized for medical examinations. Rescue teams and firefighters intervened quickly to secure the college and limit the risks for students and staff, reports Mosaique fm.
An incident in the continuity of a crisis
This incident is not an isolated event. For years, Gabès has experienced repeated episodes of industrial pollution, directly affecting schools and neighborhoods close to GCT production units.
A few weeks ago, Chatt Essalem college was hit by a first wave of asphyxiation, causing panic among the students and requiring emergency intervention. The dilapidated condition of GCT facilities and the lack of preventive measures have been denounced on several occasions by residents and local unions.
Demonstrations regularly took place in front of the regional headquarters of the GCT, some degenerating into vandalism and ransacking, a sign of the exasperation of citizens. The army and security forces had to intervene to secure the scene and prevent tensions from worsening.
Gabès, symbol of environmental injustice
For residents, the situation goes beyond the simple framework of an industrial incident. It illustrates a structural environmental crisis where the health of citizens, and especially that of children, is constantly threatened. The unions denounce a “time bomb” and demand modernization of installations, strict environmental control and concrete measures to protect populations.
This new poisoning highlights that Gabès remains at the heart of a major health and social crisis, between repeated incidents, citizen anger and broken promises. The population now expects lasting and effective measures to prevent future tragedies and guarantee a safe environment.
