BELAGAVI, 23 JULY

Students of the government primary school in Markandeya Nagar in Belagavi were hospitalised after they fell ill eating the mid-day meal served in the school on Wednesday.

Sources in the State Education Department said that a lizard had fallen into the curry, thereby contaminating it. The curry was served with plain rice to the students.

Belagavi deputy director of Public Instructions, Leelavati Hiremath, visited the hospitals where the hospital to enquire about the condition of the sick students.

Hiremath said that the teachers, along with villagers, helped shift students to two local private hospitals after more students complained of vomiting and dehydration. 

The food was reportedly handed over to the teachers at around 10am, who served the students in the afternoon.

Belagavi district health officer, Eshwar Gadadi, who also visited the hospital, said that most of the students were recovering following treatment. 

Samples of the contaminated curry were sent to the government laboratory for examination. A medical team, along with an ambulance, was also deployed in the Markandeya Nagar area.