A total of 147 girl students fell ill due to suspected food poisoning at a government residential school in Surendranagar district, Gujarat, on Friday. All the students are reported to be in a stable condition.
The students were admitted to the hospital after complaining of stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.
According to Chief District Health Officer B.G. Gohil, 147 of the 215 students at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) were affected. Of them, 102 students are being treated at Chuda Community Health Centre, while 45 students have been referred to two hospitals in Surendranagar.
Gohil said the students had eaten vegetables, bhakhri, khichdi and kheer at the hostel on Thursday night. They began experiencing symptoms on Friday morning. Food samples have been collected and sent for laboratory analysis as part of the investigation.
5 pictures of the incident
102 students are being treated at Chuda Community Health Centre
45 students have been referred to two hospitals in Surendranagar.
The students had eaten vegetables, bhakhri, khichdi, and kheer at the hostel on Thursday night.
On Friday morning, all the students started complaining of stomach pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
Health officials have sent food samples for testing.
Authorities monitoring the situation: MLA
Meanwhile, Limdi MLA Kirtisinh Rana visited the hospital and enquired about the students’ condition.
He said he had spoken to the District Collector and the Prant Officer, and that the situation is being closely monitored. He added that if the investigation finds negligence by the agency responsible for preparing the hostel food, appropriate action will be taken.
He said the immediate priority is to ensure proper treatment and the speedy recovery of all the students.
Parents criticise school administration
Some parents expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s handling of the incident.
Parent Anasuya Ganotra said her two daughters study at KGBV. She claimed she learned about the incident through a relative rather than from the school.
She said the school administration should have informed all parents immediately after the students fell ill.
