At least 80 Afghanistan elementary schoolgirls, including their teacher, were poisoned in their school.

According to local media, some alleged persons entered the school in northern Afghanistan to poison the students and their teacher.

The students were said to be deliberately poisoned due to the restrictions placed on girls’ education across the country. 

The Taliban government that seized power in 2021 prohibited female students from attending school in Afghanistan, but they are permitted to attend primary education. 

The students and teacher were placed on ventilator machines after being rushed to the hospital for treatment.

They have been diagnosed with respiratory and neurological-related illnesses. 

The region’s director of culture and information, Umair Sarpuli, said, “Unknown people spread poisonous substances inside the classrooms, and when the students entered the classrooms, they experienced shortness of breath, watery eyes and noses, and they lost consciousness.”

Afghanistan authorities said they are still searching for the perpetrators of the crime. 

In March 2022, the Taliban government banned female Afghans from attending school.

The government also banned women from appearing in public places without a male guardian to accompany them.