176 children taken ill in Surat after eating at canteen

Around 176 students of Vatshalyadham Ashramshala located in Kholwad village of Kamrej Taluka in Surat, were admitted to hospitals, on Saturday evening, with complaints of food poisoning, after having dinner at the school's canteen. The condition of one student is said to be critical. At least 176 out of the 390 students, who had chole-puri from the school canteen, on Saturday night, complained of nausea and vomiting. They were rushed to various private hospitals in Kamrej, Bardoli and Surat.  Meanwhile, in addition to the blood samples of the students, the district health officials also collected food and water samples from the canteen.

However, some of the students were discharged after primary treatment; at least 86 students are still undergoing treatment in Dinbandhu (Kamrej) and Prannath (Surat).

"What is confusing is that not all students have suffered food poisoning, which is what generally happens in case of food poisoning. We are waiting for the lab reports," Ravindra Kachhal, district health officer, said.

Meanwhile, sources said that although the school had an RO water plant in its premises, the students were consuming unfiltered water from a separate tap, which could have caused the health problems. The matter will be investigated. Meanwhile, it is learned that authorities have closed the canteen for the meantime and are procuring food from other sources.