Several school children in Birbhum district of West Bengal fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in which a snake was allegedly found, reported news agency PTI, citing officials.
Close to 30 students of a primary school in Mayureswar block of the district were hospitalised after consuming the food on Monday. A staff who had prepared the meal claimed that a snake was found in one of the containers filled with lentils.
"We had to rush the children to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital as they started vomiting," the staff said, as reported by PTI.
Confirming of complaints being received from parents and villagers about children falling sick after eating the mid-day meal, the Block Development Officer Dipanjan Jana said that the district inspector will visit the school to look into the matter.
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"I have informed the district inspector of primary schools who will visit on January 10," Mr Jana said.
Meanwhile, all the children barring one have been discharged from the hospital and are said to be out of danger. The one in hospital also does not have any major complications, the news agency reported.
Such incidents can cause bacteria and parasites to develop in the food and its consumption can lead to health issues.
After the parents came to know about the incident, they gheraoed the school headmaster and vandalised his two wheeler, said officials, according to PTI.
The local administration ntervened and the gherao was later lifted.