Shillong, March 17: A 13-year-old student from Meghalaya died on Sunday due to suspected food poisoning in Malavalli, Karnataka.
However, several others have fallen ill, prompting an investigation by health and law enforcement authorities.
The boy, identified as Kerlang and 24 other students from Northeast India, who were studying at a private educational institution, had consumed food from a Holi feast on Friday. Reports suggest that most of the food served at the celebration was prepared at a nearby local dhaba.
Symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting and diarrhea, emerged on Saturday, leading to a visit by health officials who provided treatment and advised authorities to remain vigilant. While no distress calls were made, Kerlang suddenly collapsed on Sunday and died before doctors could attend to him.
Authorities revealed that apart from the students, 30 to 40 others who attended the feast also developed food poisoning symptoms and were admitted to private hospitals in Mandya and Mysuru.
Following Kerlang’s death, all affected students from the private institution were shifted to hospitals for treatment.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Police disclosed that the private school, operating since 1989, did not have a license to run a hostel. The hostel, functioning illegally on the first floor of the school building, lacked basic infrastructure, including toilets.
The school, which has 202 students from LKG to Class 8, reportedly housed about 30 boarders—most from Meghalaya—who allegedly relied on leftover food from nearby events and celebrations, added the police.
