India: 20 children die after eating school meal

India: 20 Children Die After Eating School MealAn initial investigation finds the school meal contained traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat.5:50am UK, Wednesday 17 July 2013 The children were rushed to a government hospital
EmailAt least 20 children, aged between eight and 11, have died after eating free meals at a primary school in eastern India.

About 30 children and the school cook remain in hospital in Patna, the Bihar state capital.

Ten of the youngsters are in a critical condition.

They fell ill soon after eating their lunch on Tuesday in Masrakh village in the Saran district of Bihar.

The meal of rice and lentils was cooked in the school kitchen, and police have seized all the ingredients used.

Bihar's Education Minister P K Shahi said a preliminary investigation suggested the food had traces of phosphorous, which is used to preserve rice and wheat.

"It is sad but true that 20 children died after eating their midday meal, which appears to be poisonous," the minister said.

The father of an ill child, Raja Yadav, told reporters that his son was vomiting after returning from school.

"As soon as my boy returned from school, we rushed to the hospital with him. His condition was not good," he said.

Families of dead children will be offered financial compensation, said Bihar Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shyam Rajak.

Sky Producer Neville Lazarus, in New Delhi said: "Masrakh is in one of the poorest of the poor states in the country and in a remote place, there wasn't proper medical facilities so some of the children who were critical have been rushed to the state capital for treatment."

Authorities have suspended a food inspector and registered a case of criminal negligence against the head teacher.

Bihar state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry.

Several hundred people have also staged protests against the state government over the children's deaths.

"Hundreds of angry people staged a protest in Saran since late Tuesday night, demanding stern action against government officials responsible for this shocking incident," district government official S K Mall said.

Many state governments in India have launched midday meal programmes for poor children.

Malnutrition is one of the major health concerns among Indian youth.

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