Mangaluru : More than 20 students of a girls’ residential school near here have been hospitalised following ‘food poisoning’ after taking lunch in their hostel and five staff, including the warden, suspended, here on February 3.

The students of the Morarji Desai Residential School for minority community girls in Deralakatte were admitted to a private hospital last evening after they complained of symptoms of food poisoning like stomach pain and vomiting after having the lunch yesterday, they said.

The incident was immediately reported to the Minority Department officer, who ordered the suspension of five staff members, including the warden and cook of the hostel, for their alleged negligence.

The actual cause for the food poisoning was yet to be ascertained, police said adding investigation was on.

Students had earlier complained of bad quality food being served to them.