An outbreak of food poisoning at a Catholic school in Karnataka state yesterday has cast a cloud over celebrations starting tomorrow to mark Mangalore diocese’s 125^th anniversary.

Around 50 students at St Joseph’s Higher Primary School in Mangalore city were rushed to hospital yesterday afternoon after falling ill soon after eating lunch, said Sister Sharal Santhumayor, the school principal.

“Only 15 were admitted to the hospital, the rest were allowed to return home a little later,” she added.

A doctor at Fr Muller Hospital in Mangalore said the students kept in are in stable condition.

Around 240 children study at the school run by Bethany nuns, a Mangalore based congregation.

‘This is shocking news and comes just as we are set to celebrate a [major anniversary] marking the establishment of the diocese,” said Father William Menezes, a diocesan spokesman.

Vatican officials are expected to be among dignitaries at the February 11-12 celebrations which have taken a year to prepare.

Father Menezes said school officials have informed the police about the mass food poisoning.

Sister Santhumayor said the school had prepared the lunches from the same ingredients that are supplied to 27 other schools.

Sister Shuba Moras, a school spokesperson, said they have sent food samples for testing which would take two days.