Over 100 people fall ill at New Jersey graduations in 'mass casualty' incident due to extreme heat

Two outdoor graduation ceremonies in Paterson, New Jersey, held during a dangerous heat wave ended with more than 100 people being treated and some being taken to the hospital, authorities said.

Two outdoor graduation ceremonies in Paterson, New Jersey, held during a dangerous heat wave ended with more than 100 people being treated and some being taken to the hospital, authorities said.

The Paterson Fire Division said it treated about 50 people at Hinchliffe Stadium on Monday during the first high school graduation ceremony. Nine people were taken to the hospital, it said in a statement.

During a second ceremony later in the day, about 100 people ended up needing treatment, and seven were taken to the hospital, the fire department said.

Temperatures climbed into the upper 90s on Monday, and the heat index hit 107 degrees, according to The Weather Channel.

In anticipation of the heat, Paterson Public Schools said it had on-site EMTs, cooling stations, cold bottled water and ice and wet paper towels available.