Egypt opens investigation into mass food poisoning at Al-Azhar's Luxor campus

Egypt's Attorney General Mohamed Shawky Ayyad called for an immediate investigation on Friday after 89 female students suffered effects from food poisoning at Al-Azhar University's dormitory in Luxor.

The students were taken to the Karnak Hospital with symptoms of vomiting, severe cramps and diarrhea after eating meals from the university campus.

Egypt's Public Prosecution has taken testimonies of students and collected samples of food from the university campus in a bid to trace the source of the poisoning.

Al-Azhar University's spokesman Ahmed Zare said in a statement that 60 students had been discharged from hospital after checks, while others are still undergoing treatment.

Zare said a week-long medical committee had been formed to ensure food safety. An examination of the university campus' kitchen was also undertaken following a directive from the Vice President of Al-Azhar University for Upper Egypt, Mohamed Abdel Malek.

The incident was reported by students on social media, who shared their experiences.

"Help us... The girls at the university campus in Luxor are suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and severe intestinal cramps," wrote one student on Facebook.

Another student wrote: "Many cases of food poisoning and we did not receive a quick response, and the dean came to test the food himself. Help us, we are dying."

Egypt has a poor record regarding food safety, with frequent cases of food poisoning and low levels of hygiene in many restaurants and public establishments.