Nine students rushed to hospital with food poisoning after eating tuna sandwiches

NINE students have been rushed to hospital after suffering food poisoning after eating tuna at a college campus in the Capital.

It is understood the students at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus - five from the beauty department and two from sports - quickly fell ill after consuming tuna sandwiches in the college canteen.

It is also understood that a lecturer was also taken to hospital after they reported feeling unwell.

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Students at the college said the victims were vomiting and had difficulty breathing.

It was initially thought the students were suffering from an allergic reaction but it has since emerged their symptoms were due to scombroid food poisoning - caused by eating spoiled fish.

Around 14 ambulances rushed to the college after receiving an emergency call this afternoon.

Students said the beauty and sports departments were closed and evacuated by the police.

Edinburgh College beauty student Eden Hunter, 18, said: “We were all told to leave the department and they were not letting anyone else in.

“It was pretty scary - we were told it was contagious. And it’s shocking that it could have come from the food in the college. I ate the tuna yesterday.”

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh College said: “An isolated incident occurred this afternoon at Granton Campus of Edinburgh College, where a small number of students and staff suffered an allergic reaction.

“The incident is currently under investigation, but it is believed that this may be linked to a batch of tuna sandwiches.

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“An ambulance team from Scottish Ambulance Service attended to a small number of patients on site, who responded well to treatment.

“Almost all have been admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, for observation.”

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