More than 45 students at a Morarji Desai Minority Residential Hostel in Dandoti village, Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, became ill after eating a meal, leading to an investigation on Friday. State Home Minister Priyank Kharge represents the Chittapur Assembly segment in the district.
The students started vomiting shortly after consuming rice and sambar at the hostel on Thursday night. Officials suspect contaminated drinking water or poor-quality food as potential causes, though the exact reason is yet to be confirmed. The hostel caters to students in Classes 6 to 10.
Initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Dandoti for first aid, over 35 students needing further medical care were later transferred to the Taluk Hospital in Chittapur. Concerned parents rushed to the hostel upon learning about their children’s illness.
Authorities are investigating reports that students may have consumed water from a contaminated tanker, contributing to the situation. District Officer Sangamesh from the Minority Welfare Department visited the hostel and hospital to oversee the students’ treatment. The students’ conditions are reported to be stable.
An inquiry is underway to determine if the illness resulted from tainted food, unsafe drinking water, or both. Samples of the food and water will be collected for laboratory testing. In a similar incident, 11 students from a private school in Bengaluru were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning after dinner at the hostel.
