70 students fall ill at class in Ishurdi school

Primary school Kalapara (representational image).

Pabna, May 13 - At least 70 students fell sick during class hours at a school in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna on Wednesday afternoon, triggering panic among students and teachers.

The incident occurred around 2:00pm at Muladuli High School, when students of Class-VI began experiencing illness shortly after their midday break.

According to initial information, two students first became unwell after reportedly noticing a strong smell coming from a plastic container found inside the classroom. A local doctor suspected the plastic container may have contained lice-killing medicine

Later, more students from the same class began to feel sick one after another. 

Several students from classes VII and VIII also reportedly fell ill due to panic.

School authorities immediately informed the Fire Service, who rushed to the scene and rescued the affected students. They were later admitted to Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, said its Medical Officer Dr Kaveri Saha.

Acting headteacher of Muladuli High School Basna Rani said two students first became ill, followed by symptoms, including dizziness, headache and nausea among many others.

She said a plastic container was found in the classroom, which doctors suspected may have contained lice-killing medicine. Several students have since recovered, she added. - UNB