15 rushed to hospital after inhaling tear gas in Pasig

At least 15 people were brought to a hospital after inhaling tear gas from a canister allegedly dropped from a passing motorcycle in Pasig City shortly before noon Thursday.

Witnesses said the tear gas was released when a passing passenger jeep ran over the canister containing it, GMA News' JP Soriano reported on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation."

Police have started a search for the passengers of the motorcycle who dropped the canister, and are still determining if it was accidentally or deliberately dropped.



The report quoted workers at a car wash who were affected by the tear gas as saying the foam-like substance came out of the canister after a jeep ran over it.

"Parang tear gas kasi ang amoy. Masakit sa, 'pag nalanghap masakit sa dibdib, makati sa balat," said Genebert Operiano.

"(Parang) nakaamoy ka ng chlorine na sobrang tapang, 'yan po, 'yan ang amoy," added Cristina Jainar.

Some of the jeep's passengers were also rushed to a hospital after feeling dizzy.

The Pasig police said their initial findings showed the canister contained anti-riot tear gas.

Pasig City police chief Senior Superintendent Mario Rariza Jr. said they are "trying to determine now" the identities of the motorcycle riders who dropped the canister. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News