Overview

• Videos show a volcano-style demonstration at the Instituto Comercial Rancagua in Rancagua, Pergamino, erupting Thursday night and blasting burning fragments into spectators.
• The most seriously hurt student, a 10-year-old girl, underwent surgery at Buenos Aires’ Hospital Garrahan and remains in intensive care on advanced life support with a reserved prognosis.
• A 45-year-old teacher sustained a severe eye injury, was operated on in San Nicolás, and is stable; most of the remaining patients were treated for cuts, burns, contusions or mild intoxication and discharged.
• A presenting student described two metal tubes containing sulfur, charcoal and a special salt intended to form a gunpowder-like mix, a setup that witnesses say produced a sudden, high-energy blast.
• Prosecutor Fernando Pertierra ordered peritajes, scene preservation and witness statements, while education and health authorities pledged support for the school community and reviews of safety protocols.