2 children die, 15 hospitalized after taking mid-day meal in Indian school

Two children died and 15 others were hospitalized in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh after eating lunch at a school, officials said Thursday.

The school children according to officials consumed milk as a part of mid day meal at the school in Mathura district, about 420 km west of Lucknow city, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

"Two children died of food poising and 15 others were taken ill," an official said. "The incident occurred yesterday in the evening as the children complained of diarrhoea. During the day the children had consumed milk at the junior high school in Kanshiram colony."

Reports said the condition of some children admitted into hospitals was sated to be critical.

India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) quotes senior government official at Mathura Rajesh Kumar saying the exact cause of food poisoning was being ascertained.

Officials also suspect water contamination and fear the drinking water stored in the overhead tank at colony might be contaminated.

Local authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry.

Police have taken samples of the milk and water for forensic testing and sealed the water tank in the area as a precautionary measure.

In March, at least 125 school children were taken ill in the state after eating lunch at a primary school.

In India free Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched by government some years back to tackle hunger and boost attendance in the government run primary schools.

However, the scheme suffers because of poor hygiene.

In 2013, at least 22 children died and dozens more were taken ill after eating lunch at a school in Bihar state. Endit