Over 45 Students Fall Ill After Hostel Meal in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, Probe Underway

July 10, 2026

Kalaburagi: More than 45 students of a Morarji Desai Minority Residential Hostel in Dandoti village of Karnataka’s Kalaburagi district fell ill after consuming dinner on Thursday night, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.

According to preliminary information, the students, who are enrolled in Classes 6 to 10, started vomiting shortly after eating rice and sambar served at the hostel. Officials suspect the illness may have been caused by contaminated food, unsafe drinking water, or both, though the exact cause will be confirmed only after laboratory tests.

Students shifted to hospital

The affected students were initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Dandoti, where they received first aid. As several students required further medical attention, more than 35 students were later shifted to the Taluk Hospital in Chittapur for treatment.

Officials said the condition of all the students is stable, and their health has shown improvement.

Contaminated water also under scanner

Authorities are also investigating reports that the students had been consuming water supplied through a contaminated tanker, which could have contributed to the illness.

To determine the exact cause, officials are collecting food and water samples from the hostel for laboratory analysis.

Officials inspect hostel

Minority Welfare Department District Officer Sangamesh visited both the hostel and the hospital to assess the situation and monitor the treatment of the students.

Tehsildar Nagayya Hiremath said the students’ condition had improved and assured that the administration was closely monitoring the situation.

Similar incident reported in Bengaluru

The incident comes just a day after 11 students of a private residential school in Bengaluru South were hospitalised with suspected food poisoning after consuming dinner at their hostel.

Those students reportedly complained of severe stomach pain after eating rice and leafy vegetable curry and were admitted to a district hospital for treatment.

The back-to-back incidents have raised fresh concerns over food safety and hygiene standards in residential educational institutions across Karnataka. Authorities have said appropriate action will be taken once the investigation report is received.