Forty-two students of a secondary school in Bachok, Kelantan suffered food poisoning after having their "sahur" (Ramadan pre-dawn meal) yesterday, according to the Kelantan Education Department.

A spokesperson said today the students, from the first to the fifth forms of SMK Datuk Perdana staying at the school hostel, suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea after the meal and were rushed to two hospitals.

"Thirteen students were sent to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) and the rest to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian.

"Only three students still remain at the HRPZII, the rest having been given outpatient treatment and allowed to go back," he said.

The spokesman said the department had suspended the service at the school canteen where the students had had their meal, and was awaiting a report from the school administration on the matter.

- Bernama