LUCKNOW – 4 Children Dead from Suspected Food Poisoning
Local media is reporting that four children – two girls and two boys aged between 12 and 17 years – died from suspected food poisoning at a government-run rehabilitation center. The children, who were primarily orphans with mental health challenges, were part of a group of 20 children rushed to a local hospital after falling critically ill on Tuesday evening.
Sixteen of the children have responded to treatment and are reportedly improving. Reacting to the incident, an area magistrate has formed an investigative committee to uncover the root cause of the alleged food poisoning.
Meanwhile, steps have been taken to understand the incident. Food samples from the rehabilitation centre have been collected and sent for detailed analysis. Health department and food safety officials have questioned the children and visited the facility to gather information about the potential source of contamination.
The incident has sparked political reactions, with one politician suggesting the tragedy is symptomatic of systemic failures. The state health minister, however, attempted to reassure the public, stating that the situation is under control and the remaining children are stable.
The rehabilitation centre currently houses 147 children, many of whom require specialized care. The centre’s primary mission is to provide support and protection to vulnerable children, making this incident particularly distressing.
The bodies of the deceased children have been sent for post-mortem examination, with internal organs being preserved for further investigation. Authorities have stated their commitment to determining the exact cause of this tragic event and preventing similar incidents in the future.
GAJAPATI – Food Poisoning Suspected in Deaths of Young Sisters
A suspected food poisoning incident in India’s state of Odisha has resulted in the deaths of two young sisters after consuming sattu, a flour made from roasted chickpea flour, from a local children’s community health care center.
The elder sister, aged six, passed away en route to the hospital and the younger, aged three, died during medical treatment.
District officials have taken action, recovering the flour bag for forensic testing and suspending its distribution pending investigation. The girls’ father and another sister remain in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
A local magistrate confirmed that the government is providing full medical support to the affected family. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, though no similar incidents have been reported from other members of the community.
MANDYA – Second Student Dies from Food Poisoning at Illegal Hostel
A second student has died from a severe food poisoning outbreak in Karnataka’s Mandya District, escalating the tragedy that began during Holi celebrations on March 14. A 13 year old passed away Monday night at Apollo Hospital in Mysuru after initial treatment at Malavalli Government Hospital.
The incident follows the earlier death of another 13 year old student who died on March 16 from the same food poisoning outbreak. The crisis originated at an illegally operated hostel where students were served leftover food from a businessman’s private event.
Currently, 40 students are receiving medical treatment, with 25 of them from Meghalaya. Law enforcement has already arrested three individuals in connection with the incident. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has responded by offering financial compensation to the families of the victims.
Senior government officials, including Commissioner and Secretary Home CVD Diengdoh and the Mandya Deputy Commissioner, have visited the hospital to assess the situation. The Karnataka government announced it will be taking swift action against those responsible for the tragic incident.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the food poisoning outbreak.
MANDYA – Investigation into Mass Student Food Poisoning Incident
Investigations have revealed significant lapses at the Gokula Vidyasamsthe school food poisoning incident, that lead to two deaths and hospitalization of 38 other students. The institution lacks adequate beds and boarding facilities, and some students were misrepresented as studying elsewhere, according to investigators.
The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KCPCR) has requested a report from the Mandya education department and is urging that cases be registered under the Juvenile Justice Act and Child Rights Act.
In response to the incident, the state government has directed all district administrations to review the functioning of residential schools and hostels within their jurisdictions. Officials have been instructed to conduct regular visits to government-run hostels to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
Authorities have intensified their investigation into the food poisoning case, seizing the CCTV footage and DVR from the hotel where the food was prepared for further analysis. There is suspicion that someone might have mixed toxic substances into the food prepared at the hotel. The hotel has since been shut down.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “The deaths of young children is a tragedy. It is especially painful when those deaths resulted from food poisoning that could have been completely avoided if standard food safety practices were followed.”