TALOQAN - More than 50 schoolgirls were hospitalised on Saturday after being ‘poisoned’ in their classrooms in northern Takhar province, an official said.
Provincial police spokesman, Maj. Abdul Khalil Aseer, told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident took place in Ahandara area on the outskirts of Taloqan city, the provincial capital, around 10am.
He said 52 students of the Ahandara Girls’ School were taken to hospital by police after falling ill.
A joint team of public health, education and crime department has been tasked with investigating the incident and the nature of poisoning, he said.
Takhar Civil Hospital director Dr. Jamil Frotan confirmed receiving 45 schoolgirls at the hospital. He said condition of the girls was stable.
Preliminary test results did not show any signs the girls had been poisoned by drinking water, food or spray, he said.
Few days ago, several schoolgirls fell ill in Rustaq district in a similar incident.

There have been several instances of girls being poisoned in schools in recent years in Takhar and other provinces, but the government has failed to identify the reasons. (Pajhwok)