Afghanistan probes 'poisoning' of 600 Herat schoolgirls

Police in Afghanistan are investigating the suspected poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls in Herat province.

About 600 students from different schools have been taken to hospital in the past two weeks, complaining of nausea, pain and shortness of breath.

It is not clear what caused the symptoms, although officials believe the girls may have inhaled a toxic gas.

None of the students have died, with most being sent home after check-ups and hospital treatment.

No group has said it was behind the incidents.

The Taliban was blamed for several suspected poisonings at girls' schools in 2012, but denied carrying them out.

Many schools in Afghanistan have come under attack in the past, with officials suspecting that militants opposed to women's education were behind the incidents.