Multiple Students Hospitalized After Suspected Gas Leak at Hardoi School
In a concerning incident that has raised questions about school safety protocols, 19 students fell seriously ill at a private educational institution in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district on Thursday. The incident occurred at a school located in the Sandila area, prompting immediate emergency response and triggering a high-level investigation.
Immediate Response and Hospitalizations
The alarming situation unfolded around 10 AM on Thursday, November 21, 2025, when students began complaining of violent coughing spells and general uneasiness. According to officials, the symptoms appeared consistent with exposure to some form of irritant or gas. Local authorities acted swiftly upon receiving information about the emergency.
All 19 affected students were promptly admitted to nearby medical facilities for treatment and observation. Medical professionals confirmed that nine of the more seriously affected cases were referred to King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow for specialized care. Fortunately, officials have confirmed that all students are now in stable condition and are expected to be discharged from hospital care soon.
Investigation Points to Multiple Possibilities
The police investigation initially focused on a possible gas leak from the school's chemistry laboratory, speculating that an experiment might have gone wrong. However, as the probe deepened, investigators discovered new evidence that has expanded the scope of their inquiry.
"Initially, we suspected gas leakage from an experiment gone wrong at the chemistry laboratory," explained a police officer involved in the investigation. "But no trace of any leakage of gas has been found so far. An empty pepper spray was found near the boys' washroom. Since most of the students near the washroom had reported uneasiness, we are looking into this angle as well."
While authorities haven't completely ruled out the gas leak theory, the discovery of the empty pepper spray container has introduced a new dimension to the case. The police are now examining whether the incident could have been triggered by pepper spray usage within the school premises.
High-Level Attention and Official Response
The incident attracted immediate attention from top administration officials. Hardoi District Magistrate Anunaya Jha personally visited the school along with Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena to assess the situation firsthand. The DM confirmed that a thorough inspection of the school premises is being conducted by both district administration and police officials.
"We received information around 10 am that students at a private school in Sandila are complaining of violent cough and uneasiness because of some gas leak on the premises," DM Jha stated. "Local authorities immediately rushed to the spot, and 19 students were admitted to the hospital. All are stable now."
Adding significant weight to the response, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken official cognizance of the incident. The CM has directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for all affected children and has called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
SDM Hardoi, Narayani Bhatia, provided additional context, confirming that the students who fell sick were all girls, highlighting the demographic most affected by this incident.
The district magistrate has assured that strict action will be taken once the investigation conclusively determines the cause of the incident. The probe continues as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this health emergency at the educational institution.
