A Class VII student of Kasturba Gandhi residential school in Chandankyari, Bokaro, was declared brought dead in hospital on Friday afternoon, a day after she complained of nausea and dehydration.

Though severe diarrhoea seems to be the apparent reason behind 11-year-old Lalita Kumari’s sudden death, deputy commissioner Uma Shankar Singh has ordered a probe.

Daughter of a daily wage-earner, Lalita had joined the government cradle a year ago. She was an “above average” student who also excelled in sports. Classmates and teachers recalled her as a sweet girl.

According to district education superintendent Vinit Kumar, she complained of loose motion on Thursday morning and was given medicines.

“She felt better by evening and also ate dinner. However, she complained of nausea and started vomiting since Friday morning,” Kumar said.

School authorities rushed her to the local health centre and then a private nursing home in Chas. At both places, she was administered two bottles of saline, but her condition did not stabilise.

The nursing home referred Lalita to Bokaro General Hospital, 25km from Chas. “She was pronounced brought dead at the emergency at 2.50pm,” the DSE said.

Two more students — Lalita’s classmate Rekha and eighth grader Sumitra — were admitted to hospital with stomach ache around 6.30pm on Friday. District education officer Rajiv Lochan said they were not taking chances.