Muzaffarpur: At least 85 children fell sick after consuming a toxic mid-day meal at Primary School Pokharera Bichla Tola in Muzaffarpur on Wednesday. According to officials, a lizard had accidentally fallen into the food prepared in the school kitchen.
Chaos in School, Children Rushed to Hospitals
Headmaster Ramesh Ram informed that out of 102 enrolled students, 100 were present for the half-yearly examination on Wednesday. After the first shift of the exam, students began eating the mid-day meal when the incident occurred. While 15 children avoided the food, the rest consumed it before the contamination was noticed.
Soon after, several children complained of uneasiness and vomiting, creating panic in the school. Around 62 children were rushed to CHC Saraiya by ambulance. Eight children, including Shivani Kumari and Ayush Kumar, were later referred to SKMCH Muzaffarpur in critical condition. Doctors have confirmed that all are now out of danger. Some parents also shifted their children to private hospitals.
Local PACS president Rajan Kumar and Rajvanshi Kumar, son of a former Mukhiya, assisted in transporting the students to the hospital. Jansuraj leader Kishore Kunal also reached CHC to enquire about the children’s condition.
Block Education Officer Manju Kumari confirmed negligence and assured action: “A lizard was found in the food. There is definitely negligence somewhere. The matter will be investigated and strict action will be taken against the culprits.”
Contaminated Water Sickness at Muzaffarpur Sadar Hospital
In a separate incident the same day, more than a dozen ANM students at Muzaffarpur Sadar Hospital fell ill after consuming contaminated water. The students, living in the ANM hostel, started vomiting continuously, causing panic. They were admitted immediately and treated. Their condition later stabilized, and by evening they were shifted back to the hostel with prescribed medicines.
The incident has highlighted poor maintenance at the hostel. The overhead water tank, which had reportedly not been cleaned for six months, was the source of contamination. Although an RO system is installed, it has been non-functional for a long time. Complaints had been raised earlier, but neither the tank was cleaned nor the RO repaired.
Following the scare, all ANM students have now been shifted to Vishram Sadan from the dilapidated hostel building.
