What began as a typical evening of beautiful harmonies at a Cambridge church turned into a medical emergency that left parents, bystanders, and emergency crews stunned.
A visiting children’s choir from France was midway through their performance when chaos suddenly erupted—eight young singers, all between the ages of 11 and 13, began suffering seizures nearly simultaneously.
Children Fall Ill Mid-Song
The incident happened around 7 p.m. on Monday at St. Paul’s Parish church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
According to local reports, some of the children started feeling sick while singing, with several pointing to an unusual odor in the air.
That’s when the situation spiraled—one by one, the children began seizing, prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
Confusion Over the Mysterious Odor
Audience members and churchgoers also reported detecting a strange smell just before the children fell ill.
But when first responders arrived, they couldn’t confirm the presence of any unusual odor.
Cambridge Fire Chief Thomas Cahill, who was on the scene, said that although they initially received a standard medical call, the situation “quickly escalated” once more children showed symptoms.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Paramedics wasted no time. All eight children were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Their conditions have not yet been disclosed, but officials have stated that the children are expected to recover.
The fire chief emphasized how rare and alarming the incident was, especially given the age of those affected and the rapid progression of symptoms.
No Clear Cause Identified
Despite the urgency of the situation, there’s still no clear explanation for what caused the mass seizures.
Hazmat teams swept the building thoroughly, searching for any toxic substances, but came up empty-handed.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, though they remain puzzled by the lack of physical evidence or environmental triggers.
Other Attendees Unaffected
Around 70 people were inside the church when the incident occurred, but none of them showed any signs of illness or discomfort.
That detail has only deepened the mystery.
According to Chief Cahill, there was no indication beforehand that the children had been unwell or under any kind of stress.
Hoping for Answers and Recovery
While the affected children are reportedly on the mend, the incident has raised concerns and unanswered questions—both for those who were present and for medical and emergency professionals now trying to piece together what went wrong.
For now, the church remains under close observation, and the French choir’s U.S. visit has been paused until more information comes to light.