15 School Children Hospitalized After Consuming Worm-Infected Midday Meal in West Bengal

Children are currently receiving treatment at the Mathurapur Rural Hospital. (Representational)

Tensions erupted in Mathurapur, South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Tuesday when 15 school children were hospitalized after consuming contaminated midday meals, according to officials.

The incident occurred at Khudadadpur Primary School in Mathurapur Block-I within the South 24 Parganas district.

All 15 affected students are presently undergoing treatment at Mathurapur Rural Hospital, with a district administration official confirming that they are now out of danger.

The hospitalization of these children following consumption of the contaminated meal sparked significant unrest in the area.

Parents and guardians of students began protesting in front of the school building, eventually locking the main gate, which trapped teaching and non-teaching staff inside the premises for several hours.

Upon notification, officers from the local Mathurapur Police Station arrived at the scene and attempted to calm the agitated guardians, encouraging them to end their protest and unlock the school gate.

After approximately two hours of negotiation, the guardians agreed to cease their demonstration and open the gate, allowing school staff to exit the premises.

"The midday meal provided to students on Tuesday was infested with worms. After eating, they began vomiting and complaining of severe stomach pains," said one distressed guardian.

Uma Pal, the headmistress of the primary school, acknowledged issues with the quality of Tuesday's midday meal, stating, "I have already reported the matter to higher authorities."

A block-level investigation into the incident has already commenced.