Patna: Two separate incidents involving residential educational institutions in Bihar have raised concerns over student safety after a 10-year-old girl died following suspected food poisoning at a madrasa in Supaul, while three girls were hospitalised in Bhagalpur after accidentally consuming tea prepared with phenyl.
In Supaul, three girls studying and residing at a madrasa fell ill after dinner on Monday. They were taken to a private medical facility for treatment. However, the condition of one of the girls deteriorated and she died during treatment on Tuesday.
Supaul Superintendent of Police Sarath R S said the deceased girl’s post-mortem examination had been conducted and that the exact cause of death would be established through the investigation and medical report. The other two girls are reportedly stable.
According to the madrasa management, around 60-65 girls study and reside at the institution, which has been operating for nearly two years. The deceased girl had reportedly been staying there for around one-and-a-half to two years. The management said the girl’s mother had visited her earlier on Monday and brought sweets and a samosa from a fair. The girls who ate the food later reportedly became unwell.
Following the incident, a district education department team inspected the madrasa on the directions of the District Magistrate. Officials examined its functioning, residential facilities, records and compliance with rules governing accommodation of students.
Meanwhile, in Naugachia, Bhagalpur, three girls at a residential school fell ill after accidentally using phenyl stored in a glass as milk while preparing tea. They were initially treated at a community health centre before being referred to a Bhagalpur hospital, where they remain under medical supervision.
Police and education officials are investigating how phenyl was stored in a drinking glass and whether negligence by school staff contributed to the incident.
