Probe launched after India food poisoning tragedy

(Vatican Radio) The Indian State of Bihar is continuing to deal with the aftermath a food poisoning tragedy which has caused the deaths of a number of children. The children aged between eight and eleven became ill after eating a free mid day meal of rice, soybean and pulses at their school in the State’s Saran district on Tuesday.


India’s Education minister M.M. Pallam Raju said a school cook had died as the death toll continued to rise on Wednesday.

Saran Official Abhijit Sinha told Indian television they are looking into the causes of the outbreak.


An inquiry has been launched into the incident and the government has offered 200,000 rupees or ($3,400) to the families of those who have died.


This tragedy which has left so many children dead has anger many and even sparked violent protests as dozens of residents took to the streets in Bihar state pelting a police station with stones and setting ablaze buses and other vehicles.

Meanwhile, as the fallout from this incident continues, anxious families continue to stay by the bedsides of those children who remain seriously ill in hospital. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report