Rayagada: The condition of the five school students, who are admitted at district headquarters hospital after getting stung by bees, is stated to be stable.

The students belonging to the Karubai Upgraded Primary School, situated at a distance of about 40km from the district headquarters town, were admitted there on Thursday morning in a serious condition.

"There is improvement in the students' health condition, and they are responding to treatment. We hope they will get well soon and resume their studies," said Rayagada collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar.

An eight-year-old Class II student was killed in the bee attack, while another five students got injured in it when the group of boys were collecting mango leaves for Ganesh puja from a forested area near the school on Wednesday evening.

While the deceased student is identified as Debdas Toika, the injured students are identified as Srinu Mandangi, 7, Bikash Mandangi, 6, Nathan Mandangi, 9, Rohit Toika, 7, and Ashish Puala, 9.

In another development, the administration has conducted an inquiry into the incident by a team, led by the Rayagada sub-collector.

"Necessary action will be taken after getting the inquiry report. Anyone responsible for the incident will not be spared," the collector said.

Tractors seized

Two tractors, which were carrying sand, illegally mined from the Baitarani riverbed under Barbil tehsil, were seized by local tehshil officials in Keonjhar district.

The sand-laden tractors were covered with tarpaulin and dust to give an impression that the vehicles were carrying construction debris and not sand.

The tractors were seized with imposition of penalty on its owner.

Raids on illegal transportation of sand are being undertaken to ensure safety of riverbed and the embankments, said officials.