Puri: More than 30 students of a government upper primary school in Odisha's Puri district were hospitalised after consuming a mid-day meal in which a dead lizard was found. Six students, whose condition is reported to be critical, have been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri.

The incident took place at the Aragad Government Upper Primary School under Delanga block. According to reports, students noticed a dead lizard in the food while they were eating their midday meal on Monday afternoon. By then, several students had already consumed the food and soon complained of vomiting and other symptoms of illness.

After being informed about the incident, teachers immediately called ambulances and rushed more than 30 affected students to the Delanga Community Health Centre for treatment. Due to the serious condition of six students, they were later referred to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital.

The incident triggered tension at the Delanga hospital, where worried parents and guardians gathered in large numbers. They alleged negligence in the preparation of the meal and demanded strict action against those responsible, including the teachers and the cook involved in preparing the food.