CICPC investigates respiratory disease caused by chemical agent at school in Táchira

Published at: 23/10/2026 11:17 AM

Officials from Civil Protection (PC) and the Scientific, Criminal and Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) are investigating the case of a respiratory condition that affected 68 people, including 51 minors, in the Jorge Antonio Bello Nieto La Morita National Educational Complex, in the Fernández Feo municipality of the state of Táchira.

As reported by the Venezuelan News Agency (AVN), Governor Freddy Bernal requested an investigation into the possible presence of a chemical agent and described the event as unusual, so he asked to suspend classes in that room for 24 hours to facilitate the collection of evidence.

“At least 24 hours of suspension of activities to allow Táchira Civil Protection and CICPC scientists to collect and process evidence without any interference,” the governor explained.

Those affected experienced headache, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, allergies and fainting. Authorities prioritized medical care and cordoned off the area as a preventive measure.

Bernal noted that there are similarities between the symptoms and another episode that occurred days earlier in Vega de Aza, in the southern part of the state.

Mazo News Team