China – A teacher at a kindergarten in central China has been detained by police on suspicion of poisoning 23 children, officials say. After eating their morning porridge, the children were rushed to the hospital in Jiaozuo City, Henan province, state media reported.
Preliminary investigations revealed the food contained high levels of sodium nitrite.
Police said the motive for the incident is still unclear. However, Chinese media quoted police sources saying the teacher had wanted to take revenge on a colleague.
The children began feeling uneasy after eating their breakfast at the kindergarten last Wednesday, according to the Beijing News. Police revealed the incident on Monday.
One child is still seriously ill and seven others are being treated in hospital, state run Xinhua news agency said. The other 15 were discharged.
Sodium nitrite is used as a food additive for curing meat but can be toxic in high amounts. (BBC)
