As many as 11 students died and 48 others fell ill on Tuesday after consuming a mid-day meal served to them at a government primary school in Bihar’s Saran district, the police said.
The tragedy took place at the government primary school in Dahrmasati Gandawan village at Mashrakh block, about 25 km from here, they said.
The children fell ill soon after eating the meal, which consisted of rice, pulse and soyabean, the police said.
They were rushed to Chhapra Sadar Hospital where 11 of them were declared dead on arrival. The others are undergoing treatment, the police said. Chief minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the incident, sources in the CMO said, adding that a Forensic Science Laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by Saran divisional commissioner and DIG.
Mr Kumar also announced a compensation of `2 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Of this, `1.5 lakh is from the Disaster Management Fund and `50,000 from CM’s Relief Fund.