SAHARSA, BIHAR - Over 200 schoolchildren were hospitalized in Bihar's Saharsa district after a baby snake was found in their mid-day meal on Thursday, triggering a mass health emergency and an administrative probe. The incident occurred at Middle School Baluaha in Mahishi block when students began complaining of stomach pain shortly after consuming the meal supplied by an NGO.

Eyewitnesses reported that the snake was spotted as food was being served to one student, prompting panic. Dozens of children collapsed in agony, leading the school administration to alert local police and medical teams. Police transported some students to a nearby health center, while ambulances later evacuated the remaining children, many of whom were initially in critical condition.

Several children were referred to Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment, where they remain under observation. District Magistrate (DM) Shashank Shubhankar dispatched an investigation team to the NGO's meal preparation cluster, which caters to multiple schools in the area. The DM's office confirmed the probe would assess hygiene protocols and supply chain oversight.

Mid-day meal schemes in India serve millions of students daily, with Bihar's program covering over 12 million children. The incident has raised concerns about food safety standards in government-funded initiatives. The state education department has not yet issued a formal statement.

The investigation team is expected to submit its preliminary findings within 48 hours. The DM has directed local officials to conduct surprise inspections at all meal preparation centers in the district.