Two Babies Die and 53 Infants Fall Ill After ‘Toxic Leak’ at Daycare

A devastating incident at a daycare in Jerusalem has left two babies dead and dozens more hospitalized after what officials believe may have been a toxic exposure inside the facility.

According to emergency officials, a baby girl was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition on Monday. Gal Pachis, head of the emergency center at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, confirmed her death to reporters. A baby boy, believed to be around six months old, also died despite extensive resuscitation efforts, Hadassah Medical Center said in a statement.

The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

Earlier in the day, Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom, said paramedics were treating and evacuating 55 infants from the daycare to hospitals across Jerusalem. Two of those infants were initially listed in critical condition, while 53 others were undergoing medical evaluation and treatment.

Police detained three caregivers who were present at the daycare for questioning as part of the investigation.

According to reporting by The Times of Israel, the daycare was operating without a license. Investigators are examining whether the incident may be linked to a malfunctioning heating system inside the apartment where the center was located.

The daycare was housed in a residential apartment on Hamem Gimel Street, in a neighborhood largely populated by members of Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. Authorities said there were no signs of fire or visible structural damage to the building.

Police confirmed that forensic teams were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence and determine what led to the mass medical emergency.

Witnesses described chaotic and heartbreaking scenes as rescue crews arrived.

Zalmi Neufeld, 22, told AFP he watched emergency responders pull infants from the building. “I saw parents crying, a lot of kids crying, kids all over the place,” he said. “It was like a war zone.”

One first responder told Israeli outlet Ynet that rescue teams initially did not realize how many children were inside the apartment. While performing CPR on the two infants, they began hearing cries echoing through the building.

“We heard children screaming,” the responder said. “We went in and found children in closets, in strollers, everywhere — hidden on top of one another with blankets.” Other emergency workers said at least one child was found sleeping inside a bathroom.

Authorities initially suspected the presence of hazardous materials but later said that possibility had been ruled out, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the tragedy in a post on X, expressing deep sorrow for the families affected.

“The loss of the lives of very young children is an immense, unspeakable tragedy,” Herzog wrote. “My heart goes out to all the parents and children who have been affected,” adding that a full investigation and accountability are essential.