India: School Dinner Blamed For Eight Deaths

Eight children died and 80 others were hospitalised after eating lunch at their school in Bihar state in northeast India.

State administrator Abhijit Sinha confirmed the deaths, which occurred in Saran district.

The children, all younger than 10, had been served a meal of rice and lentils cooked at the school in Masrakh village.

"It is a matter of uncertainty why some of the children died while others survived after consuming the midday meal," Abhijit Sinha said.

The chief minister of Bihar state, Nitish Kumar, has ordered an immediate investigation and sent a team of forensic experts to the school.

Television pictures showed sick children lying on wooden tables in a state-run hospital.

Compensation is being offered to the parents of the dead children but local media said hundreds of people took to the streets to vent their anger and demand action against teachers and officials.

Indian news service IANS claims that government guidelines on food quality are often ignored in Bihar state because of corruption in the school meal service.

It reported that dead lizards, frogs, insects and a rat have been found in school meals in the past.

Bihar is considered one of India's poorest states and is also one of its most populous. Free school meals are very popular in India and seen as a way of increasing attendance.