15 students fall ill after consuming sambar allegedly contaminated by lizard in Hassan college hostel

Hassan : Fifteen students of an agricultural science college in Hassan district reportedly fell ill after consuming sambar in which a lizard was allegedly found during dinner. The incident occurred at the girls' hostel of the Agricultural Science College located in Sarapura village of Hassan taluk.

According to reports, students were having dinner on Wednesday night when a lizard was discovered in the sambar served at the hostel mess. Soon after the meal, several students complained of discomfort, nausea and other health issues, leading to panic among hostel residents.

Out of the affected students, six who developed severe symptoms were shifted to Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) for treatment. Hospital authorities said the students are under observation and receiving necessary medical care. The condition of the students is reported to be stable.

The incident has triggered concerns about food safety and hygiene standards at the hostel, which houses nearly 400 female students. Preliminary allegations suggest that a shortage of cooking gas cylinders forced the hostel administration to prepare food using firewood stoves set up outside the kitchen premises.

Sources said the hostel requires between four and six commercial LPG cylinders every week to cater to the large number of students. However, the concerned gas agency has reportedly been supplying only one or two cylinders per week, creating difficulties in managing regular cooking operations.

As a result, hostel staff were allegedly compelled to cook meals on traditional firewood stoves in an open area. Students and local sources have alleged that the alternative cooking arrangements compromised hygiene standards and may have contributed to the contamination of food.

The incident has sparked criticism from students and parents, who have demanded immediate action to ensure proper food safety measures and adequate supply of essential resources to the hostel.

District Health Officer Dr. Anil Kumar visited HIMS following the incident and reviewed the condition of the affected students. He also gathered information regarding the circumstances that led to the food contamination and the subsequent illness among students.

Health officials are expected to conduct further inquiries into the incident and examine whether lapses in hygiene, food handling practices or infrastructure deficiencies contributed to the situation.