Eight children hospitalized after experiencing seizures during choir concert
- Eight children from the Chœur d’Enfants d’île-de-France developed seizure-like symptoms during a concert at St. Paul's Church.
- The incident prompted a response from the Cambridge Fire Department, leading to the hospitalization of the affected children.
- No hazardous substances were found in the church, and all affected children have since been released from the hospital.
On the evening of July 22, 2025, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, eight children from a French youth choir were taken to hospitals after exhibiting seizure-like symptoms during a concert at St. Paul's Church. The concert was part of the Chœur d’Enfants d’île-de-France's U.S. tour, and the choir members, aged between 11 and 13, were performing before an audience. The Cambridge Fire Department responded after reports of a child suffering from a seizure, and upon arrival, found the child outside the church, breathing but distressed. As the firefighters were assessing the situation, seven other children began showing similar symptoms. Fire Chief Thomas Cahill indicated that this escalation from a routine medical call into a situation involving multiple hospital transports was unusual. All eight children were later released from the hospitals after receiving treatment for their symptoms. Witnesses reported smelling something unusual prior to the incident, which led to the deployment of the department’s hazmat unit for investigation. A thorough environmental sweep of St. Paul's Church was conducted, including air quality testing. The findings indicated no hazardous materials were present, and the church was ventilated to ensure safety. Approximately 70 other attendees during the concert were unaffected by the incident. The fire department had cleared the building and was preparing to hand it back to Harvard University. This incident raises concerns about the welfare of children during public performances and the importance of addressing environmental health risks promptly. As investigations continue, it remains unclear what caused these seizure-like symptoms; authorities are looking into the issue but have yet to identify a clear reason. The choir, with a history of extensive tours and performances, was offering a free concert that evening, showcasing a mix of sacred, secular, and popular French music, adding an element of community engagement to their visit.