Bhagalpur: Over two dozen students of Faradpur Government Primary School under Kharik block in Naugachia sub-division in the district fell sick after taking midday meal on Friday.

Of them, 17 students in the age group of 6-14 were admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JNMCH) in critical condition. Some parents of the sick students said the children complained of stomach ache and started vomiting soon after taking the midday meal. "Some of them fell unconscious. They were immediately shifted to the local primary health centre at Kharik from where they were referred to JNMCH," said one of the parents.

Doctors at the casualty ward of the hospital said immediate treatment had been started by washing the stomachs of the students. "We will keep them under observation for 24 hours," the doctors said.

Bhagalpur district education officer (DEO) Madhusudan Paswan said an inquiry order had been issued into the incident. He said that during monsoon, any insect could fall into midday meal, poisoning the food.

"The condition of students is not serious, timely treatment has saved them. After the inquiry, we can ascertain the exact reason," the DEO said.