Pabna Correspondent:

At least 40 students of Kazirhat Secondary School in Pabna’s Bera Upazila suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness during class on Monday sparking panic among fellow students and guardians.

Most of the affected students were girls from classes six and seven. Of them, 25 were admitted to different hospitals while the rest received primary treatment at local dispensaries.

The Bera Upazila administration has formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident.

Acting Head Teacher Farhad Hossain said several students fainted shortly after classes began following the morning physical training session.

Their condition triggered fear among other students, leading to more cases of fainting.

Classes were suspended immediately and the sick students were rushed to doctors.

Three of them are still receiving treatment in the hospital, he added.

Dr Tahmina Sultana Neela, Bera upazila health and family planning officer, said the children likely fell ill due to low blood pressure and physical weakness.

When asked about so many students becoming unwell at once, she said the incident appeared to be a case of “mass hysteria”, a psychological phenomenon where groups of people suddenly exhibit similar symptoms without a physical cause.

“There’s nothing to panic about. Most of the children have already recovered and returned home,” Dr Tahmina added.

Bera Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mir Morshedul Islam said a three-member investigation committee, led by the upazila secondary education officer, has been formed to determine the exact cause of the incident.

“The actual reason will be known after receiving the committee’s report,” the UNO said.