Barmer, May 3 -- Sixteen students of a government higher secondary school in Sanawara village, Barmer district, fell ill on Saturday after allegedly drinking contaminated water from an open tank at the school, suffering itching and red rashes across their bodies, officials said. According to officials, the incident occurred at Government Senior Secondary School in the Meghwal community settlement of the village.The children were rushed to a Sanawara hospital and later referred to Barmer Medical College for treatment. As of this report, their condition is reported as stable. Additional district magistrate Rajendra Singh Chandawat said, "Water samples from the school have been collected and sent for testing. Further action will be taken after the report. A team of doctors is monitoring their condition. All the children are currently out of danger and the exact cause of the illness is being investigated" Emergency medical technician Sukhdev Ganguli said the incident was reported around 10am. "We were informed that children suddenly started feeling unwell after drinking water from an open tank in the school, and their condition worsened soon after consuming it," he said. School staff noted that Saturday was observed as "No Bag Day", with students present on campus. Before lunch, one girl first complained of itching. A staff member said, "Before lunch, one girl started complaining of itching, and red marks appeared on her body. We informed her parents and sent her to the hospital. Soon after, three to four more children showed similar symptoms, and within a short time, around 16 children were affected." Ambulances were called promptly, and the affected children - 10 girls and six boys aged 5 to 14 - were taken to the local hospital before transfer to Barmer district hospital, officials said. Some also reported vomiting and dizziness alongside itching. Education department officials visited the hospital to assess the situation. District education officer Devaram Chaudhary said, "The children had eaten food from home. The mid-day meal was still being prepared, and their condition worsened before it was served," ruling out school food contamination. Barmer Government Hospital PMO Dr Hanuman Chaudhary said, "All the children are stable. They have been admitted as a precautionary measure." One affected student, Devi, said, "After drinking the water, I started feeling itchy. Then I felt dizzy and felt like vomiting. I still have itching on my body."...