123 students fall ill after partaking food at Ganesh puja feast  in Balasore

Balasore: At least 120 children fell ill after eating food during a feast at Nityananda Saraswati Shisu Mandir School in Baliapal block in the district on the occasion of Ganesh puja. Meanwhile, a probe into the incident has been ordered by the district collector.

According to sources, the school had organised the fest for around 170 students, including staff. After eating the food, the students fell ill and complained of vomiting and loose motions following which they were hospitalised. The Head Master of the school also fell ill after consuming the food.

As many as 72 students have been admitted to Baliapal IDCO Community Health Centre (CHC) while 51 students are undergoing treatment at Basta Community Health Centre.

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The condition of more than 90 students is still critical. Besides, the number of cases is increasing as people are still coming with their kids with such symptoms, said sources.

"We are thoroughly checking the admitted students. Condition of around 20 students is stable now; we will discharge them soon. Other students are also improving, said a doctor at the IDCO CHC.

"We don't know as of now the reason that contaminated the food. But we will start a probe into the incident," said one of the school officials.

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Prima facie, food poison is suspected to be the cause but the actual reason is yet to be ascertained.