Mangala Express students stable after illness scare, Central Railway confirms
Synopsis
Eighty students on a school trip fell ill aboard the Mangala Express travelling from Thrissur to Delhi, prompting railway medical teams to board at Khandwa and accompany the group. Central Railway's latest assessment confirms all students are stable — but the cause of the mass illness remains unspecified.
Key Takeaways
80 students on a school trip reported loose motion, vomiting, and stomach discomfort aboard Mangala Express (Train No.
12618) on Friday, 28 August .
Between 30 to 40 affected students were treated by railway medical personnel at Khandwa with medicines and ORS.
A medical assessment at Bhusawal and a subsequent morning review confirmed all students are stable with no deterioration.
Central Railway stated the situation is 'under continuous monitoring'; medical personnel accompanied the group onward.
The cause of the illness has not been officially identified; no serious complications were reported.
Central Railway on Saturday, 29 August confirmed that all 80 students who fell ill aboard the Mangala Express (Train No. 12618) remain stable, with a fresh morning medical assessment finding no deterioration in their condition. The students reported loose motion, vomiting, and stomach discomfort during a school trip from Thrissur, Kerala to Delhi.
What Happened Aboard the Train
The students, accompanied by 10 teachers, were travelling in the S2 and S3 coaches of the Mangala Express when symptoms surfaced on Friday. Between 30 to 40 of the affected students were attended to by railway medical personnel at Khandwa, where medicines and oral rehydration solution (ORS) were administered.
The accompanying teacher opted to continue the journey rather than disembark, following which medical personnel boarded the train to monitor the students through the onward route.
Medical Assessment at Bhusawal
A formal medical evaluation was carried out after the train reached Bhusawal, with all students assessed as stable. A subsequent assessment conducted the following morning confirmed no worsening of symptoms. Central Railway stated: 'The situation is stable and under continuous monitoring.'
Railway authorities have not specified the cause of the symptoms in their official communications, and no serious medical complications have been reported among the group.
Central Railway's Official Statement
In a formal statement, Central Railway said: 'Thirty to 40 affected students were attended to by railway medical personnel at Khandwa, and necessary medicines and ORS were provided. Medical personnel accompanied the students for further monitoring as the accompanying teacher desired to continue the journey.'
The railway confirmed that monitoring of the group continued during the onward journey to Delhi.
What Happens Next
Medical personnel remained with the student group as the train continued toward Delhi. The cause of the illness has not been officially determined, and it remains to be seen whether authorities will investigate the source — likely food or water consumed during the journey. This incident underscores the need for robust on-board medical response protocols for school groups travelling long-distance on Indian Railways.
Point of View
The absence of any causal investigation in official communications is a gap: mass gastrointestinal illness among 80 students on a single train almost certainly points to a shared food or water source, and passengers deserve transparency. Indian Railways carries millions of school groups annually; a public post-incident review of catering or water supply on this service would be the accountable next step, not just a 'stable and monitoring' sign-off.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the students on the Mangala Express?
Around 80 students travelling on the Mangala Express from Thrissur, Kerala to Delhi reported symptoms of loose motion, vomiting, and stomach discomfort on Friday, 28 August. Railway medical personnel attended to 30 to 40 of the affected students at Khandwa, providing medicines and ORS.
Are the students safe now?
Yes, according to Central Railway, all students were assessed as stable at Bhusawal, and a subsequent morning assessment on 29 August confirmed no deterioration in their condition. Medical personnel continued to accompany the group on the onward journey.
What is the Mangala Express and which train number is it?
The Mangala Express operates as Train No. 12618 and runs between Kerala and Delhi. The affected students were travelling in the S2 and S3 coaches as part of a school trip.
Has the cause of the illness been identified?
No. Central Railway's official statement did not specify the cause of the symptoms. No serious medical complications were reported, but an investigation into the source of the illness has not been publicly announced.
What action did Central Railway take?
Railway medical personnel met the train at Khandwa, treated 30 to 40 affected students with medicines and ORS, and then boarded the train to monitor the group continuously. A formal medical assessment was also conducted when the train reached Bhusawal.
