Kasaragod (Kerala), Several children suffered physical discomfort and were admitted to hospital after smoke allegedly emanated from a hospital generator near their school in Kanhangad in this north Kerala district on Thursday.

The district administration said the district collector has ordered an inquiry into the incident and the Kanhangad sub-collector has been directed to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a report.

More than 15 children studying at Little Flower School in Kanhangad here were admitted to various hospitals after they reportedly experienced discomfort due to smoke emanating from the generator.

Visuals shown on TV channels showed children admitted to hospitals complaining of dizziness, nausea and difficulty in breathing, among other problems, due to the smoke.

Parents and locals of the area told TV channels that school teachers had complained about the hospital's generator and demanded that it be shifted to another place.

He said that this time a major tragedy was averted, hence the concerned authorities should take appropriate action.

The generator was running in the private hospital located near the school when there was power failure.

Officials said that since there was no smoke pipe attached to the generator, when it was switched on, smoke spread to the surrounding areas, including the school.

He said that the situation was later brought under control.