Pupils taken to hospital following gas inhalation

They were called after some learners in a Grade 7 class at Effingham Primary School complained about difficulty breathing and headaches, among other symptoms.

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Netcare 911's Shawn Herbst says the children have been taken to hospital for further treatment.

"A lot of the children are being treated for the symptoms of gas inhalation. This includes a sore throat, burning mouth and an itchy mouth and lungs."

"Some of the children have been coughing quite severely. Some have also complained of chest pains," said Herbst.

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The exact gas that was inhaled and the cause of the chaos remains unclear at this stage.

Rescue Care's Garrith Jamieson said in a statement that pepper spray may have been sprayed in one of the classrooms.

"At this stage the exact substance inhaled is unknown, however it is suspected to be pepper spray which was sprayed in a classroom," said Jamieson.