On the occasion of Tsinghua University’s 113th anniversary, a large number of alumni returned to campus to celebrate and have a meal together. More than a hundred Tsinghua alumni gathered at the same restaurant, and after dining, many of them experienced symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Suspicions arose of collective food poisoning, and many individuals are still receiving treatment in hospitals. Some alumni reported being instructed not to speak about the incident.
Recently, a document titled “Suggestions for All Alumni and Current Faculty and Students” has been circulating on mainland China’s internet. The document exposed that from April 26 to April 28, alumni from various locations attended anniversary events at the university and later dined at a restaurant near the campus without any issues during the meal. However, in the days following the gathering, as of the evening of May 1st, statistics showed that 102 individuals developed symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain. These affected alumni accounted for approximately 85% of the diners, with many still undergoing medical treatment.
The document was dated May 1st and signed by 129 Tsinghua University alumni, including 26 from the Material Science Department of 1989, 60 from the Chemical Engineering Department of 2000, and 35 from the Computer Science Department of 2004.
Aside from the departments mentioned in the document, the incident also involved various groups like the school’s handball team. As of May 1st, over ten alumni remained bedridden and in need of medical care, including elderly individuals in their sixties.
According to alumni familiar with the situation, the restaurant suspected of causing the collective food poisoning is a Cantonese restaurant that has been in business for many years. After the incident, the restaurant did not issue a formal apology, only refunded a portion of the diners’ fees, while discussions regarding medical treatment and lost wages have not been settled.
Several users left comments on the restaurant’s ordering platform alleging that the food poisoning may be linked to issues with the restaurant’s oysters, with the business failing to offer a satisfactory resolution. Some alumni who attempted to speak up were reportedly told to stay quiet.
At the end of the document, two recommendations were provided to alumni and current faculty and students: firstly, it was advised that alumni refrain from dining at the restaurant until the cause of the incident is thoroughly investigated, and secondly, everyone was reminded to prioritize food safety with a conscientious attitude.
Some alumni expressed that merely refunding the dining fees to the 102 affected individuals is insufficient. It is imperative to identify the root cause of the poisoning and plan for potential future occurrences. If the source of contamination is not from the restaurant, other possibilities such as tainted fruits or water consumed during gatherings should be considered. By thoroughly investigating the cause, accountability can be established for the poisoned alumni, faculty, students, and local residents.
As reported by Xin Huanghe, some involved alumni have reported the incident to the Beijing Municipal Market Supervision Administration.
On the evening of May 3rd, personnel from the Haidian District Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed their involvement in investigating the matter.
Attempts to contact the Cantonese restaurant received the response that the establishment is currently on break.