Murder plot feared in German uni poisoning

German police launched an investigation into "attempted murder" yesterday after a poisoning at a university left one student in a critical condition and six others in need of medical attention.

The victims at the Technical University Darmstadt had consumed food or drink, to which a harmful substance had been introduced, notably via packets of milk and containers of water.

Police say packets of milk and water containers were among the items spiked over the weekend with the chemical, which they described as having a pungent smell.

The affected building was closed off by police and any foodstuff on site was taken away for investigation.

One 30-year-old student was in a critical condition.

"We are shocked by the apparent offense that happened at our university," the institution's president, Tanja Bruehl, said.