Children at Groningen School Hospitalised After Eating Brownies with Possible Magic Mushrooms
Eleven children from the Widar Vrijeschool in Groningen had to be taken to the hospital on Thursday after becoming unwell from eating brownies that may have contained magic mushrooms.
The incident happened during a school camp for group 8 pupils. According to school director Joop Hakze, the children began to feel sick and strange after eating the brownies. Help was quickly called, and a doctor was brought in to check on the students. Eleven children were taken to the hospital for further examination. Nine of them were released the same day, and the remaining two returned home the next day. All are now doing well.
"We were very shocked," said Hakze. "No one wanted this to happen. It was a lovely evening, and then things suddenly turned scary. Fortunately, it's under control now."
What was in the brownies?
While it is not yet confirmed, the school suspects the brownies contained magic mushrooms. The police are investigating, but they currently do not believe a crime was committed. It's still unclear how the brownies ended up at the school camp.
Magic mushrooms contain substances like psilocybin, which can cause people to hallucinate or feel disconnected from reality.
Focus on recovery
The school is now focusing on supporting the students and their families. "Our priority is the children’s wellbeing," Hakze emphasised. "We want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, with care and attention for everyone involved."
Parents responded with understanding and cooperation. "They were emotional, but also very engaged and united," Hakze said. The school plans to provide follow-up care and answer remaining questions in the coming days.