‘Tear gas attack’ at Berlin school leaves more than 30 children injured
20 June 2025, 21:29 | Updated: 20 June 2025, 21:30
Multiple children have been treated after “tear gas” was reportedly sprayed in a shock “attack” at a primary school in Berlin.
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Emergency services scrambled to Miriam Makeba Elementary School in Moabit shortly after 9am today when the alarm was raised.
Among the 400 children at the school during the attack, 37 were seen and treated on an outpatient basis, while one was taken to hospital for further care.
At least ten children were complaining of eye and respiratory issues after the “irritating gas”, Berlin Police said.
The building was evacuated and the school suspended operations for the day.
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At 11.35am, the Berlin Fire Department said the scene was under control after being “successfully ventilated.”
A police investigation into the cause and possible perpetrators is underway.
On X, Berlin Police said in a statement: “Shortly after 9am, our emergency services and the @Berliner_Fw were alerted to the Miriam Makeba Elementary School in Moabit.
“At least ten children are reportedly complaining of eye and respiratory irritation. They are currently being treated by emergency personnel.
“The building has been evacuated and ventilated. Currently, there is no longer any danger.
“School operations are to be suspended. Investigations into the cause and possible perpetrators are ongoing.”
Berlin Fire Department added: At around 9:00 a.m., the Berlin fire department was alerted to a primary school on Zinzendorfstrasse in Moabit.
“Several children were affected by an irritating gas. The school was cleared. The children are currently being looked after and cared for by the emergency services. The building is ventilated by our emergency services. The deployment site is clear. As a precaution, we called several ambulances to the elementary school.”
In a further update at 11:35am, it added: “The scene is under control. The school was successfully ventilated and reopened. The parents of all school children have been informed about the operation by the school management.
"There were around 400 children in the primary school, 37 of whom were seen and treated on an outpatient basis by our emergency services. One child had to be transported to a hospital for further clinical care.
“We were on site with 42 emergency services for around two hours.”
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