Bihar school mid-day meal scare: 70+ students fall ill in Madhepura
A panic-like situation was reported at a government school in Bihar's Madhepura district after several students fell sick after eating their mid-day meal. The children were rushed to hospital, and officials have started an investigation into the incident.
More than 70 schoolchildren were taken ill after consuming the mid-day meal at an upgraded middle school in Bihar’s Madhepura district on Saturday, triggering panic among students, teachers, and parents.
The incident took place at the Upgraded Middle School in Karu Tola, Sahugarh, under the Madhepura Sadar block. According to officials, the children started experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and anxiety shortly after eating the meal, prompting immediate medical attention.
Preliminary reports suggest that the illness may have been caused by contamination of the food, with suspicion that a lizard had fallen into the mid-day meal. The food was supplied through an NGO under the government’s mid-day meal scheme.
The affected students were rushed to Madhepura Sadar Hospital using ambulances and private vehicles. Doctors confirmed that most of the children are stable and out of danger, although the condition of one girl remains critical, and she is under close medical supervision.
Following the incident, District Education Officer Sanjay Kumar visited the hospital and assured that a detailed inquiry has been launched. “An investigation is underway, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said.
The incident has once again raised concerns over food safety and monitoring standards under the mid-day meal scheme in government schools.
(With inputs from Murari Kumar Singh)
More than 70 schoolchildren were taken ill after consuming the mid-day meal at an upgraded middle school in Bihar’s Madhepura district on Saturday, triggering panic among students, teachers, and parents.
The incident took place at the Upgraded Middle School in Karu Tola, Sahugarh, under the Madhepura Sadar block. According to officials, the children started experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, and anxiety shortly after eating the meal, prompting immediate medical attention.
Preliminary reports suggest that the illness may have been caused by contamination of the food, with suspicion that a lizard had fallen into the mid-day meal. The food was supplied through an NGO under the government’s mid-day meal scheme.
The affected students were rushed to Madhepura Sadar Hospital using ambulances and private vehicles. Doctors confirmed that most of the children are stable and out of danger, although the condition of one girl remains critical, and she is under close medical supervision.
Following the incident, District Education Officer Sanjay Kumar visited the hospital and assured that a detailed inquiry has been launched. “An investigation is underway, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said.
The incident has once again raised concerns over food safety and monitoring standards under the mid-day meal scheme in government schools.
(With inputs from Murari Kumar Singh)