608 Students Flee Maharashtra School in Mass Psychogenic Illness Episode

Over 600 students at a residential ashram school in Melghat's Doma village fled after experiencing laughing fits, crying, and numbness, which they attributed to spirits. Officials identified the episode as mass psychogenic illness, a condition where collective stress triggers shared physical symptoms. The incident drew attention to pre-existing problems at the school, including overcrowding and poor sanitation. Authorities believe these conditions fueled anxiety among students, making them more susceptible to the episode. In response, officials have announced awareness campaigns in the region to address superstition and promote rational understanding of such events.