21 students fall ill again from 'pungent smell' at same school
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Twenty-one students at a school in Hatiya of Noakhali, have fallen ill once again inside their classrooms. They were rushed to the hospital, with one student transferred to Noakhali General Hospital due to deteriorating conditions. Earlier, on September 7, sixteen students had fallen ill under similar circumstances at the same institution.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Jorkhali High School in Tamaraddi Union, located in the island upazila of Hatiya, triggering panic among students and parents.
According to teachers and local residents, classes began around 10:00 AM. About an hour later, two female students from the ninth grade suddenly fainted. Shortly after, several students from other classrooms also began feeling sick, with a few losing consciousness.
With the help of locals, the affected students were transported to the Hatiya Upazila Health Complex. By 2:00 PM, 21 students had been admitted. Among the ill are Sumaiya (14), Rihan (12), Sakib (12), Sayem (13), Arak Devi (14), Arafat Hossain (14), Laiju (13), Oishi (13), and Farida Akhter (13), all residents of the Tamaraddi Jorkhali area.
Sub-Assistant Medical Officer Biman Chandra Acharjee, on duty at the emergency department of Hatiya Upazila Health Complex, confirmed that 21 students were admitted by 2:00 PM. A parent accompanying them and a hospital staff member also reported feeling unwell.
Hospital Medical Officer Dr. Robiul Islam Niloy stated that tests are being conducted on the affected students, several of whom have not yet fully regained consciousness. He noted that further observation is required to determine their exact medical condition. Discussions with students, parents, and teachers indicated the presence of a strong, pungent odor in the classrooms, and authorities are examining whether environmental factors or mass psychogenic responses are involved.
Jasimuddin, Headmaster of Jorkhali High School, confirmed that several students initially fainted, followed by others, prompting their immediate hospitalization.
Local residents alleged that outsiders gather around the school premises after evening hours, engaging in drug abuse and antisocial activities.
On September 7, a similar incident occurred between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM when 16 students suddenly fell ill inside the classrooms, with 13 receiving primary treatment at the Hatiya Upazila Health Complex.
Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Kabir Hossain said that police are looking into why this recurring incident is happening, investigating potential criminal angles alongside the ongoing medical inquiry.
Hatiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Russel Iqbal reported that all students are currently out of danger. He confirmed that reports of a pungent smell were noted from student and teacher accounts, though the exact cause behind the fainting and illness remains unconfirmed.
