25.07.01.Today News : Students Collapse During Memorial Event in Heatwave at Seoul School

Students Collapse During Memorial Event in Heatwave at Seoul School

• Over 30 students report dizziness and breathing issues during outdoor event under extreme heat

On the same day Seoul issued its first heatwave advisory of the year, students at a private middle and high school in Dongdaemun District collapsed during an outdoor memorial event. The incident has sparked criticism from parents and students, who accuse the school of prioritizing ceremony over student safety.

On the day of a heat advisory, a private middle and high school in Seoul held a memorial event for the chairman of the school's board of trustees, and several students fainted or became dizzy while outdoors.

According to fire authorities, the incident occurred on June 30th when students participating in a memorial ceremony for the late school foundation chairman began experiencing dizziness and hyperventilation. A school nurse called emergency services at 9:38 AM after several students showed signs of heat-related illness.

Although five to six students received on-site medical treatment, no one was hospitalized. However, students reported that they had been standing outside under the sun for over 40 minutes, some starting as early as 8:40 AM. The day’s temperature reached 28°C in the morning, and a heatwave advisory was issued across Seoul by noon.

One high school senior stated, “A student collapsed within five minutes of the ceremony starting. More followed, but the event continued for nearly an hour.” Another student added, “One of my friends had to use an oxygen mask and was later diagnosed with heatstroke at a hospital.”

Multiple students claimed that at least 30 people, including 20 middle schoolers and 12 high schoolers, were sent to the nurse’s office due to symptoms.

Despite the alarming situation, school officials stated that symptoms appeared only toward the end of the ceremony. A middle school staff member said, “We apologized to parents and acted promptly once we noticed symptoms. The event was discussed in advance with parent and student representatives.”

A high school official added, “We provided shade using canopies, but the humidity was unusually high that day. Most students recovered after receiving care in the infirmary.”

Nevertheless, criticism continues to mount, with many calling for better safety protocols for outdoor school events, especially during extreme weather. Education authorities are currently reviewing the incident.

One-line summary : Dozens of students showed signs of heat-related illness during a memorial event at a Seoul private school held on the day a heatwave advisory was issued.