Children Snacked on Poisonous Laburnum in Viennese Kindergarten

On June 12, 2022, four children in Vienna decided to test how the bush in their daycare garden tasted, and nibbled on the seeds of the plant among other things. The experiment led to vomiting - and a rescue operation. The plant turned out to be a poisonous laburnum. The Vienna Court of Auditors now criticises that it was still found there. Because even before the incident, the city auditor had recommended removing toxic plants.

Poisonous Bush in Viennese Daycare Led to Rescue Operation

Ultimately, the tasting apparently turned out relatively harmless, as explained by the city auditor on Tuesday. Three children had sucked on plant parts and immediately spat them out again. The fourth child had swallowed four seeds and had to vomit. According to the incident report at the time, four to five seeds of the laburnum are considered dangerous for the human body, the Court of Auditors reported.

However, some time before the incident, the responsible city gardens (MA 42) had been advised that plants that are toxicologically relevant should not be located on open spaces such as schools or daycares. Among others, lily of the valley, foxglove, monk's hood, oleander or laburnum were mentioned.

As part of a measures announcement already created in November 2021, MA 42 had reported to the city auditor that the recommendation from the initial report had been implemented. Potentially dangerous plants would no longer be used or would be gradually removed, it was said. In view of the rescue operation, however, the Court of Auditors now urged to develop a concrete plan on how the danger from such plants could be reduced.

Auditor Criticises Technical Deficiencies as Well

However, criticism was also directed at the school administration. Open spaces and play or sports equipment reportedly had some serious defects. A selection of twelve locations was examined, for instance for structural damage. The result: "Ten school locations had at least one serious defect and two school locations had at least one defect with imminent danger."

Cracks were detected, as well as the risk of falling from cornice parts or loose posts in sports field fences. According to the city audit office, some of the defects had been known for more than three years. Similar cases were also found with the sports equipment. For example, a streetball stand, which according to the inspectors could have toppled over, remained in its place for years.

Criticism from the Opposition: "Potentially Life-Threatening for School Children"

"Such incidents are simply shocking. In a modern city like Vienna, school should not be a safety risk," said the club leader of the Vienna Greens, David Ellensohn. Some of the serious defects had been known to the responsible municipal department for months, in some cases even years, and yet they were not remedied, he complained in a press release. "This can be life-threatening for school children."

The family spokesperson for the Vienna People's Party, Silvia Janoc, was also upset: "The city of Vienna's ignoring of serious safety defects in school open spaces is negligent and irresponsible." It is incomprehensible why those responsible from the SPÖ and NEOS would take so long to rectify serious defects that acutely endanger the health of Vienna's children.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.