Children Affected by Seizure-Like Symptoms at Cambridge Choir Concert

Cambridge, Massachusetts - Eight children experienced seizure-like symptoms during a concert by a French youth choir at a church near Harvard University. The incident occurred at St Paul's Parish in Harvard Square, but officials confirmed that the symptoms were not life-threatening.

According to a news release from the Cambridge Fire Department, the concert was attended by approximately 70 people on Tuesday evening, none of whom were affected except the eight children.

Fire Chief Thomas Cahill reported that the department initially received a call about one child suffering from a seizure. Upon arrival, firefighters found the child outside the church, who was not actively experiencing a seizure at that moment. The situation quickly escalated with seven additional children showing similar symptoms.

The department's hazardous materials team conducted a comprehensive inspection of the St Paul buildings. Several air sampling meters were used to ensure that no hazardous conditions were present. The results came back negative, and the buildings were ventilated as a precautionary measure, the news release stated.

St Paul's Facebook page announced that the French youth choir, the Chœur d'Enfants d'Île-de-France, was performing a free concert as a part of its 2025 US tour. The choir, founded in 1970, is renowned for its extensive travels and collaborations with leading conductors and soloists. The concert featured a blend of sacred and secular pieces, alongside popular French songs.

Attempts to obtain comments were made by sending messages to St Paul's and to the Harvard Catholic Centre, which serves as the Catholic chaplaincy for Harvard University and other academic institutions in the vicinity. (AP)

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