At least 16 students from a residential girls’ school in Kishanganj, Bihar, were hospitalized late on Friday following a suspected food poisoning incident. The students reportedly fell ill after consuming halwa served during dinner at the OBC Plus 2 Residential Girls’ School in Khadi Basti, located in the Sadar block of Kishanganj. The affected students, who are aged between 11 and 14, began to exhibit symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea shortly after the meal.

Symptoms and Panic Spread Among Students

After the dinner, many students started complaining of severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. As the number of students showing symptoms increased, panic quickly spread across the hostel. School authorities were alerted, and emergency services were contacted immediately. Ambulances were dispatched to transport the ill students to Kishanganj Sadar Hospital for treatment. The situation caused significant distress among the students and staff at the school.

Medical Response and Treatment

Dr. Gaurav Kumar, a medical professional at Kishanganj Sadar Hospital, confirmed that 16 students had been admitted for food poisoning. According to Dr. Kumar, all the affected students were stable and receiving the necessary medical care. The students were provided immediate treatment, and their condition is being closely monitored by the hospital staff. Despite the alarming nature of the incident, the doctor assured that none of the students were in critical condition.

List of Affected Students

The hospitalized students include Nandini Kumari, Raj Priya, Sweety, Lakshmi, Rakhi, Saloni, Shivani, Sharda, Priti Priya, Barsha Rani, Shivani Bharti, and Sonakshi Priya, among others. These students were part of a larger group who had eaten dinner that included the halwa, which is suspected to be the source of the food poisoning.

Student Accounts of the Incident

Speaking from the hospital, several of the affected students shared their experiences. One of the students stated that their health started deteriorating immediately after dinner. “Halwa was served for dinner. After eating it, we suddenly started feeling stomach pain and vomiting. We informed the warden and were brought to the hospital,” she said. The students mentioned that the onset of symptoms was rapid and intense, which led to the quick response from the school authorities.

Investigation into the Cause of Food Poisoning

Local authorities have started investigating the cause of the suspected food poisoning. Food samples have been collected from the hostel kitchen and will be sent for testing to determine if the halwa or any other food item was contaminated. School officials have expressed their full cooperation with the investigation. They have also assured that they are monitoring the students’ recovery and are committed to ensuring their health and well-being.

Response from School Authorities

School officials have stated that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of the students. The school administration is working closely with local health authorities and is providing all required information for the investigation. The authorities have emphasized that they are committed to improving the safety measures in the hostel to prevent such incidents in the future.

The food poisoning incident at the OBC Plus 2 Residential Girls’ School has raised concerns regarding the quality and safety of the food provided to students at hostels. The authorities are taking this matter seriously and have assured that all steps are being taken to ensure such incidents do not occur again. The health of the affected students remains stable, and their recovery is being closely monitored. As the investigation continues, the focus will be on identifying the exact cause of the food poisoning and preventing any further incidents.