According to students, the school opened around 8:30 am, and the gas leak occurred at approximately 10 am. Initially, four Class 12 students fainted, followed by students on the lower floors who also began collapsing.

Panic gripped the campus as children were rushed out of classrooms. The school administration arranged vans to take them to the nearby hospital. Upon receiving information, District Magistrate (DM) Anunay Jha and Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Kumar Meena reached the school.

School Coordinator Apoorva Bhadauria said she was teaching in Class 12 when a student, Abhinav, complained of incessant coughing, saying something was wrong in the classroom. “When I opened the classroom doors, I saw Class 9 students rushing out and assembling on the prayer ground,” she said.

On the other hand, parents, expressing anger, raised serious questions about the school management. They claimed the school was not prompt in evacuating students. Some also alleged that dead bodies are cremated behind the school, which, they believed, contributed to health issues.

According to Hardoi DM Anunay Jha, of the 16 affected students, 15 were stable while one student was referred to King George’s Medical University in the state capital, Lucknow, as she had turned serious. He assured that he would visit the school personally and take all necessary action following the investigation.