September 18, 2025 | 11:15 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of students in the Banggai Islands Regency, South Sumatra, are suspected to have suffered poisoning after consuming free nutritious meals (MBG) on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. As of Thursday morning, a total of 251 students from elementary to high school have been rushed to the Trikora Salakan Regional General Hospital (RSUD).
According to the official website of the Banggai Islands Regency, out of the 251 students admitted to the hospital, 78 are still in intensive care, while 173 have been allowed to return home. These hundreds of students are from SMA 1 Tinangkung (high school), SMK 1 Tinangkung (high school), SDN Tompudau, SDN Pembina (elementary school), SDN Saiyong (elementary school), and MTS Alkhairat Salakan (junior high school).
These students are experiencing various symptoms of poisoning. Some of them include itching all over the body, nausea, swelling of the face, itchy throat, shortness of breath, dizziness, and headache.
Preliminary conclusion: this mass poisoning is suspected to have originated from processed skipjack tuna on the nutritious meal menu last Wednesday. "It is suspected that there were several fish that were no longer suitable for consumption," as quoted from the official website of the Banggai Islands Regency on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Currently, students affected by poisoning continue to arrive to receive medical treatment at RSUD Salakan. The Banggai Islands Regency government has also set up emergency tents in front of the hospital for the treatment and observation of the affected students. "The Health Department provides initial treatment and observation for twenty-four hours at RSUD Salakan," it stated.
Previously, a video circulated on social media showing a crowded situation at the hospital. The recording showed a teenage girl having seizures being pushed in a patient's wheelchair. There were also students lying on waiting chairs in front of the treatment room.
The video also mentioned that hundreds of students in the Banggai Islands Regency suffered poisoning after consuming free nutritious meals.
Tempo contacted the Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, via his personal mobile number on Thursday morning, September 18, 2025, to request a response and confirm this incident. However, the message has not been replied to.
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