More than 1,000 university students appear to have been poisoned ahead of mass anti-regime protests across Iran this week.
On Monday, 1,200 students at Harazmi University and Ark University fell ill with vomiting, severe body pain and hallucinations, Iranian news agency ISNA reported. At least four other universities have reported similar illnesses.
Iran’s science ministry has confirmed that students were poisoned by food, leading them to dump food trays on the street in protest. Footage posted online over the weekend showed rows of plastic bags containing cafeteria food on the ground outside Ark University, while social media footage showed long rows of trays snaking or stacking along sidewalks.
Canteen trays line the sidewalk outside the Isfahan University of Science and Technology in Isfahan, Iran. Credit:Twitter / @IranIntl
The Iranian regime has been accused of deliberately poisoning students to thwart their latest protests, while authorities have blamed accidental food poisoning on an outbreak of water-borne bacteria. There were also reports of illness on Saturday, including at the Isfahan University of Technology.
“Our past experience with similar incidents at Isfahan University negates the authorities’ justification for this mass food poisoning,” a statement from the National Students’ Union said.
The union claims the university’s clinics have closed or suddenly run out of electrolytes, making it more difficult to treat dehydration – a common symptom of food poisoning. Meanwhile, female students at some universities have been told to stay in dormitories.
Iranians have called for an intensified three-day nationwide strike and protests starting Monday.
it’s likeTate broadcaster denies reports the regime has removed its ‘morality police’the alleged killing of 22-year-old student Mahsa Amini by a religious enforcer sparked a massive protest movement.
