MAZAR-I-SHARIF - Around 150 schoolgirls were poisoned in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, on Tuesday, an official said. Col. Abdul Razzaq Qadiri, the provincial police chief, confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan News the incident took place at the Khurasan Girls’ High School.

The students were taken to hospital, but the reason for poisonous was not yet clear, he said, adding police were investigating the attack.

Education Director Qais Mohraeen said 120 girls were poisoned by gas from a septic well located close to the school.

But a teacher, who did not want to be named, said there is no septic well around the school and they never felt such a poisonous odor before. (Pajhwok)