Archive · 11 Aug 2026
24 Kolkata Schoolgirls Hospitalised After Falling Ill, Cause Probed
Some girl students at a school in Kolkata, India, suddenly got sick on a Monday night.
They had fevers, stomach aches, and were throwing up.
They were taken to a hospital called RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Doctors put them in the emergency department, where patients get care right away.
The girls are stable, which means they are not in danger right now.
Doctors are watching them closely and doing tests to figure out what happened.
Nobody knows yet why so many girls got sick at the same time.
Doctors think the girls might have eaten or drunk something bad, like food or water that was not clean.
A germ could also be making them sick, but that idea has not been ruled out.
The school has not said anything about the situation yet.
At least 24 girl students at a Kolkata school were rushed to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Monday night after falling ill, with one report putting the number at 30.
The students complained of fever, abdominal pain and vomiting and are being treated in the hospital's emergency department, where their condition is reported to be stable.
The exact cause of the illness has not been ascertained; doctors are examining a possible food- or water-borne problem, while an infectious cause has not been ruled out.
One report says the students, from a government school in North Kolkata, fell ill between Monday afternoon and evening and that food and water samples are being tested.
School authorities have not issued a statement, and reports differ on whether West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay (also reported as Mukherjee) has already visited the hospital or may still visit.
- Who
- At least 24 girl students (one report says 30) from a government school in North Kolkata, per one report; treated by doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
- What
- The students were hospitalised in the emergency department with fever, abdominal pain and vomiting; the cause of the sudden mass illness is under investigation
- When
- Monday night, August 10, 2026; the students fell ill between Monday afternoon and evening, according to one report
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal; RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
- Why
- The exact cause is unknown; a food- or water-borne problem is being examined and an infectious cause has not been ruled out
- Number of students
- At least 24 (one report says 30)
- School
- Government school in North Kolkata, per one report; name not disclosed in other reports
- Location
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Hospital
- RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
- Symptoms
- Fever, abdominal pain, vomiting
- Condition
- Reported stable; under observation in the emergency department
- Suspected cause
- Food or water contamination being probed; infectious cause not ruled out
- Health Minister
- Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay (also reported as Sharadwat Mukherjee); may visit or already visited the hospital
