16 students at Bharathiar University hostel fall sick; dead lizard found in food

A view of Bharathiar University in Coimbatore. File
| Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

Sixteen students of a girls hostel in Bharathiar University received medical treatment for suspected food poisoning in Coimbatore on Thursday (February 6, 2025).

According to university sources, initially, a student, after developing nausea, was referred to Kalveeranpalayam Primary Heath Centre. After first-aid, the student was shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for further treatment and discharged later in the day.

After it came to light that a dead lizard was found in the food served for lunch, 15 more students developed symptoms of nausea. They were treated as outpatients at the Kalveeranpalayam PHC and were later discharged.

The hostel authorities could not be reached over phone.