Forty-eight students from a private school reportedly suffered food poisoning after consuming lassi and chips while travelling to a water park near Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on Thursday.
According to sources, the students from a private school in Jaitsar had travelled to a water park in Netewala, around seven km from Sri Ganganagar. While swimming, several students suddenly fell ill, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain and other health complications.
The school staff immediately shifted all the affected children to the district hospital in Sri Ganganagar, where they were admitted to the emergency ward.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Ajay Singla stated that the students had not consumed any food or beverages inside the water park. Preliminary findings suggest that the illness was caused by food and drinks consumed during the journey.
Dr Singla said the children had stopped at Buddha Johad on their way to the water park, where they drank lassi and ate snacks and chips. Their condition reportedly worsened after reaching the water park. He added that all the students are currently stable and under medical observation. While 10 to 12 children have recovered, around 30 to 35 remain admitted for treatment.
School teacher Sonali Sharma also confirmed that the children had consumed snacks, chips and lassi at Buddha Johad before symptoms began appearing. Senior hospital officials, including Principal Medical Officer Dr Sukhpal Singh Brar and Nursing Officer Ravinder Sharma, monitored the treatment of the students in the emergency ward.
Following the incident, several parents from Jaitsar reached the District Hospital and expressed concern over the school management’s alleged negligence regarding the children’s food and safety arrangements. Parents questioned the decision to serve unhygienic food during a school outing, saying it endangered the students’ health.
The district administration and the Health Department have launched an investigation into the incident. Doctors noted that during the summer season, improperly handled food items such as lassi and packaged snacks can increase the risk of food poisoning.
