An eight-year-old girl tragically lost her life, and 34 other children fell ill due to suspected food poisoning at Mata Rukhmani Residential School in Dhanora village, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred on the night of December 8 when students began experiencing symptoms of uneasiness and vomiting. Following the reports, the affected children were rushed to a local hospital on December 9, according to Bijapur Collector Sambit Mishra.
A total of 35 students, exhibiting symptoms like vomiting and dysentery, were transferred to the Bijapur district hospital for treatment. The cause of the illness is still under investigation, with officials looking into the possibility of contaminated food being the trigger. The condition of two children worsened, and they were referred to the Jagdalpur district hospital for further treatment. Sadly, one of the children, a third-grade student named Shivani Telam, passed away while being shifted to Jagdalpur on the night of December 9.
A probe has been initiated, with the District Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. B R Pujari, suggesting food poisoning as the likely cause. However, authorities are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the incident. Fortunately, the other affected children are said to be out of danger. Preliminary reports indicate that the children had consumed paneer for dinner on Sunday night, along with kheer and puri earlier that day. The family of the deceased girl has accused the school superintendent of negligence and is calling for action against those responsible for the tragedy.
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