131 learners discharged after eating tinned fish at EC School, 30 more hospitalised

THE Eastern Cape Department of Health has confirmed that 30 more learners from Gobisizwe Agricultural School in Ngqeleni were admitted to hospital after eating rice and tin fish, adding that 131 learners who were admitted on Wednesday have been discharged.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN and SIMON MAJADIBODU

IOL News reported that approximately 70 learners had initially been hospitalised.

The department later updated the figure to 131 by Wednesday evening.

In a media statement, department spokesperson Siyanda Manana said the province's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the incident at the school earlier that day.

“About 70 schoolchildren were transported to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha Regional Hospital, and Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre,” said Manana.

He said ambulances and a helicopter were dispatched to assist the affected learners.