Egyptian students sickened at hostel

CAIRO, April 2 (UPI) -- Hundreds of students from Cairo's Al-Azhar University came down with food poisoning after eating at a student hostel, a health ministry official said Tuesday.

Director Khaled al-Khatib of emergency care told the Egypt Independent that no deaths were reported but 497 students were sickened.

An investigation into the cause of the food poisoning has been ordered.

Students from the university became ill after gathering in Nasr City Monday night to protest deteriorating conditions at the university's hostels.

A similar case of food poisoning was reported at Al-Azhar University dorms in January.