Bilaspur: Atleast 12 children of a government school in Bilaspur have reportedly fallen sick due to suspected food poisoning caused by midday meal or contaminated drinking water.

The incident is reported from a school in Sonsai Navagaon, village panchayat of Kota, Bilaspur Chhattisgarh. Eight out of the 12 have been referred to the Ratanpur Community Health Center as they presented severe symtpoms.

The health department team and others were rushed to Sonsai Navagaon as soon the received the information that was delivered to them through media. Sources reveal the media delivered the information to the health deptas the village is remote and communication is often delayed to the headquarters. According to the information, preliminary investigation has revealed that stale pulses were served to the children in the school on Friday during the mid day meal.

The school children then drank water from a nearby hand pump shortly after which their health started to deteriorate.

Currently all are stable and will be discharged soon, a health official said.