Sydney school students injured after science experiment goes wrong

Students from the Manly West Public school were injured after a failed experiment

At least 11 students at a primary school in the Australian city of Sydney have been injured after a classroom science experiment went wrong.

Reports say at least two students were taken via ambulance to hospital with serious burns. Nine others are believed to have suffered superficial burns.

An experiment involving sodium bicarbonate and methylated spirits was reportedly affected by a gust of wind.

Helicopters, paramedics and fire engines responded to the incident.

It occurred at Manly West Public School around 13:00 (02:00 GMT) on Monday.

New South Wales Ambulance Acting Superintendent Phil Templemen said the wind had blown around some of the chemicals being used.

The children - believed to be aged between 10 and 11, according to reports - suffered burns to their bodies, including on their face, chest, lower abdomen and legs, said the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).

One teacher was also treated for minor injuries.

Several parents who dropped by the school on Monday afternoon said they had questions as to why the experiment had taken place, but added that the school had got things "under control".

"We heard online what happened, it was a bit worrying but everything seemed to be under control quite quickly," Mich Ashton, a parent at the school, told the BBC.

Another parent, who did not want to be named, said it had been a "routine science experiment", adding that the teacher involved was "much loved".

One resident told the SMH that a teacher had emerged from the school earlier to speak to a group of people who had gathered outside.

"The teacher who addressed us said it was a science experiment that went wrong and some chemical burns were involved," said Tyson Atkins.

Australian media reports said it was thought the school had been conducting a popular classroom science experiment known as a "carbon sugar snake".

This involves mixing sugar with baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate. A small amount of the mixture is placed in sand soaked with methylated spirits, and ignited.