KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has revealed that a formal investigation is underway into an explosion that occurred at the Mona High School just after 5:00 pm yesterday.

According to reports from the ministry, a Chemistry teacher was setting up the lab for a display for Jamaica Day when the explosion occurred.

It said the explosion left five students along with the teacher injured.

They were rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies, where three students were admitted but have since been released after being treated for cuts and bruises from shrapnel.

Two girls along with the teacher are said to be still in the hospital.

The ministry said the principal has since confirmed the incident, outlining that only the students working under the supervision of teachers who were setting up displays for Jamaica Day were on the compound.

The principal was unable to say what specifically caused the explosion but noted that the teacher has done this kind of display successfully before.

The two students admitted to hospital had blurry vision but were able to discern the form of a hand held up in front of them, the ministry further divulged.

It said hospital staff remains optimistic that they will not have any lasting vision problem as apparently the problems they are having appeared to be related to the physical trauma and not from exposure to dangerous chemicals.

An education officer from the ministry was able to meet with parents of the two female students admitted and assured them of the ministry’s support.

In the meantime, Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid has expressed sympathy with the students and teacher as well as to the wider Mona High School family and assured them of the ministry’s support.