For the second time in a week, approximately 21 students at Jorkhali High School in Hatiya—an isolated island upazila in Noakhali—have suddenly fallen ill and lost consciousness due to a mysterious cause. One of the students is in critical condition and has been transferred to Noakhali District Sadar Hospital for advanced medical treatment. Md. Jashim Uddin, the school’s headmaster, reported that on Monday (September 14) at noon—while classes were in session—students from multiple grades began feeling unwell one after another, mirroring the incident that occurred on September 7.

According to teachers and students who witnessed the event, many students experienced breathing difficulties, dizziness, and physical distress while in class. Within a short span of time, about 20 students collapsed and lost consciousness right inside their classrooms. Arjun Chandra Das, an assistant teacher at the school, stated that the illness was first observed in a seventh-grade class. Subsequently, students from the eighth and tenth grades also fell ill. The teacher added that some seventh-grade students reported smelling *attar* (perfume oil) while walking along the veranda.

They then lost consciousness. Immediately following the incident, school authorities and locals rushed the sick students to the Upazila Health Complex. Although most regained consciousness after receiving first aid, the condition of one female student deteriorated. She was subsequently transferred to Noakhali District Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment on the advice of doctors. The recurrence of such incidents at the same school over a short period has sparked extreme panic and uncertainty among guardians, teachers, and students. While many guardians suspect the incident might be a case of mass psychogenic illness, there are strong demands to investigate whether the school environment, food poisoning, or local environmental issues are to blame.

Upon learning of the incident, officials from the local administration and the Upazila Health Department promptly arrived to assess the situation. Dr. Rabiul Islam Niloy, a Medical Officer at the Upazila Health Complex, stated that preliminary assessments suggest this could be a case of ‘mass hysteria’ or ‘mass psychogenic illness,’ where fear and panic cause others nearby to be psychologically affected and exhibit similar physical symptoms.

Md. Kabir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatiya Police Station, said that a team of health experts is preparing to visit the school to investigate the actual cause. The other affected students are currently being kept under close observation at the Upazila Health Complex.

The law and order situation is currently under control. Notably, on September 7, eighteen students from the same school fell ill and lost consciousness after being exposed to a pungent odor; they subsequently recovered after receiving medical treatment. The following day, the Upazila administration investigated the incident and reported that it had been caused by the application of pesticides on land adjacent to the school.