65 Students Hospitalized in Ishwardi After Mass Illness

At least 65 students of Muladuli High School in Ishwardi, Pabna, were hospitalized after suddenly falling ill on Wednesday afternoon. While school authorities suspect gas poisoning from a pesticide bottle found on site, medical professionals believe the incident is a case of "mass hysteria."

The incident began around 1:45 PM on the third floor of the school building. According to Assistant Librarian Shafiqul Islam, several students from classes 6, 7, and 8 fainted during a period of intense heat followed by rain. "We immediately rushed them to the hospital as more students began showing similar symptoms," he said.

Acting Headmaster Basna Rani reported that an open lice spray bottle was discovered under a bench in a Class 6 classroom. "It is unclear if the bottle emitted fumes, but students began feeling dizzy before collapsing one by one," she stated. The Fire Service and local authorities assisted in transporting the students to the Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex.

Dr. Kaberi Saha, an officer at the health complex, noted that most students returned to a normal state shortly after admission. "Two students are in serious condition and may be moved to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. The rest appear to be suffering from mass hysteria—a psychological reaction where symptoms spread rapidly through a group. There is no cause for panic."

Local MP Professor Abu Taleb Mondal, UNO Hasan Mohammad Shoaib, and OC Asadur Rahman visited the hospital to monitor the situation. UNO Shoaib confirmed that a formal investigation committee will be formed on Thursday to determine how the pesticide bottle entered the classroom and whether it played a role in the incident.