Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Palghar Ashram School Boy Dies; Students Hospitalised With Fever
A seven-year-old boy at a residential school in Maswan became sick with a high fever.
His oxygen level later dropped, and he had trouble breathing.
He was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Manor on August 24, where doctors declared him dead after an ECG.
The exact cause of his death is not known yet.
Health workers checked the other students at the school.
Reports gave different numbers for students with symptoms, saying either 19 or 26.
These students had fever, cough or cold symptoms and were kept under observation.
Their condition was reported to be stable.
Officials collected blood samples and are waiting for test and post-mortem results.
A seven-year-old Class 1 student, Kumar Shreyansh Shailesh Ambat, died after fever, breathing difficulties and falling oxygen levels.
He developed fever on August 22 and was transferred from Maswan Primary Health Centre to Manor Rural Hospital on August 24, where he was declared dead after an ECG.
Reports differ on the number of affected students: officials cited 26, while another report said 19 had fever, cold or cough symptoms.
The affected students were placed under observation at Maswan Primary Health Centre and were reported to be stable.
Authorities screened the school’s 449 students, collected blood samples for testing and awaited laboratory and post-mortem reports.
- Who
- Kumar Shreyansh Shailesh Ambat, a seven-year-old Class 1 student, died; reports said 19 or 26 other students developed symptoms.
- What
- A student died after fever and breathing difficulties, while other students were observed or hospitalised for fever, cough and cold symptoms.
- When
- The boy developed fever on August 22 and died after being transferred on August 24, 2026.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Maswan Ashram School in Palghar district, Maharashtra; the boy was transferred to Manor Rural Hospital.
- Why
- The cause of death has not been established; authorities are awaiting post-mortem and laboratory reports.
Official Response
Concern and Scrutiny
Handling of the outbreak
Official Response
Officials said students were screened, symptomatic students were placed under medical observation, and sanitation and water-purification measures were being carried out.
Concern and Scrutiny
The death and illnesses have raised concerns about health and safety at residential ashram schools, particularly amid criticism following other recent student deaths in Maharashtra.
Cause and accountability
Official Response
Authorities said the cause of the boy’s death would be determined through the post-mortem examination and laboratory reports.
Concern and Scrutiny
The reported death toll at Maharashtra ashram schools and the recent Gadchiroli snakebite deaths have intensified scrutiny of conditions and safety measures at such facilities.
- Deceased student
- Kumar Shreyansh Shailesh Ambat, age seven, Class 1
- School enrollment
- 449 students, including 395 residential students
- Reported affected students
- One account cited 26; another cited 19 students with fever, cold or cough symptoms
- Medical facilities
- Maswan Primary Health Centre and Manor Rural Hospital
- Testing
- Blood samples collected for dengue, malaria and other infectious diseases
- Student condition
- Affected students under observation were reported to be stable
- Pending findings
- Post-mortem and laboratory reports
