These whoopee cushions were used for pranks among schoolchildren and emitted an unpleasant smell when pressed.

Students bought these toys from small shops in front of the school and brought them into their classrooms, according to initial investigation following the incidents.

Tam Nông District People’s Committee in Đồng Tháp Province reported that on Monday morning, a whoopee cushion burst while students were playing in Class 7A5 of Phú Ninh Secondary School, resulting in six children inhaling the toxic gas from the toy.

They showed signs of nausea, vomiting and had difficulty breathing, and were taken to Tam Nông District Medical Centre for treatment.

At the beginning of April, 19 students from Lộc Hòa Secondary School in Vĩnh Long Province were hospitalised for accidents related to the whoopee cushions.

Six of them had trouble breathing and were given emergency supplementary oxygen.

In Trà Vinh Province, these toys also caused a case of gas poisoning among 21 students from Ngãi Xuyên A Primary School.

Local health and education authorities have issued a warning about the risks of the toy and asked schools to raise awareness against products of unknown origin.

Education institutions are also required to work with the police and families to prevent the use and sale of products which could harm children’s health. — VNS