KOWLOON, HONG KONG—Ten students were injured this afternoon when a self-heating hotpot container exploded during a break period inside a secondary school classroom. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response as paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene to treat the casualties and clear the building. The blast occurred when the chemical heating pack inside the meal container reacted violently, spraying hot liquid and steam onto the surrounding students.

According to witness accounts, the students were gathered around the meal during their lunch hour when the container began to hiss and bulge unnaturally. Before the group could move away, the lid was propelled upward by a sudden release of pressure, causing several students to suffer superficial burns and minor abrasions. School staff immediately initiated a local evacuation of the wing and contacted the emergency services.

Medical teams treated seven girls and three boys at the scene for various degrees of thermal injuries, mostly concentrated on their hands and faces. While most of the injuries were classified as minor, three students required transport to a nearby hospital for specialized treatment for second-degree burns. The school administration has notified the parents of all involved and provided counseling for classmates who witnessed the explosion.

Fire investigators are currently examining the remnants of the self-heating kit to determine the exact cause of the failure. These meals typically rely on a calcium oxide packet that generates heat when mixed with water; however, improper ventilation or a manufacturing defect can lead to a dangerous buildup of pressure. Preliminary findings suggest that the container’s steam vents may have been obstructed or failed to function as intended.

The Hong Kong Education Bureau has been informed of the incident and is expected to issue a safety advisory to all schools regarding the use of self-heating food products on campus. This event has renewed concerns about the safety of these increasingly popular convenience meals, which can reach internal temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Some schools are already considering a total ban on these products to prevent similar accidents.

The classroom sustained minor damage, including scorch marks on a desk and splatters on the ceiling, but no structural harm was reported. The Fire Services Department has urged consumers to follow the instructions on self-heating meals strictly and to ensure they are placed on heat-resistant surfaces with plenty of ventilation. They also warned against using such products in enclosed or crowded spaces where a malfunction could lead to mass injuries.

The manufacturer of the hotpot brand has not yet commented on the incident, but authorities have seized several unopened packages from the school’s vicinity for further testing. The Consumer Council may also launch its own inquiry into the stability of the heating elements used in these products. For now, the school remains open, though the specific classroom where the blast occurred will remain closed for cleaning and inspection.

The current status of the injured students is stable, with the three hospitalized individuals expected to be discharged within the next forty-eight hours. The school has scheduled a safety assembly for tomorrow morning to educate students on the risks associated with pressurized food items. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as they finalize the official report on the chemical reaction that led to the blast.

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