Andhra orphanage tragedy: Four children die, 24 hospitalised due to food poisoning

Four children died and 24 others were hospitalised, on Monday (Aug 19) after possibly getting food poisoning at a minority organisation-run orphanage in Kailasa Patnam village of Kotauratla block in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The tragic incident occurred at the hostel, where around 86 children lived. Most children staying at the hostel are either orphans or children of single parents.

Children who lost their lives due to the tragic incident have reportedly been identified as Jashuva, Nitya, Shradha, and Bhavni, all aged around eight and nine years old.

Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishna said, “While seven children are undergoing treatment at Narsipatnam area hospital, another 17 children were admitted to the government hospital at Anakapalli. Four are being shifted to King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam for better treatment.”

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According to the Revenue Divisional Officer of Narsipatnam H Jayaram, kids were served samosas, chocolates and biryani on Saturday (Aug 17) night after a prayer event. She added, they might have eaten stale biryani for breakfast the next day, which might have caused food poisoning.

Jayaram said, “This is believed to have caused food poisoning. On Sunday evening, many students complained of vomiting and uneasiness. They were shifted to hospitals in Anakapalle and Narsipatnam, where three of them died in the morning.”

According to media reports, Shradha who lost her life was critically ill and passed away when she was being shifted to the KG Hospital in Visakhapatnam.

Vangalapudi, the state home minister, said that the police and medical officials have been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation into the case.

Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the negligence of the current state government and said this incident highlights their poor supervision and urged the local authorities to provide the children with the best medical treatment.

The former CM also asked the current government to focus on improving the system and prevent such incidents from occurring.

(With inputs from agencies)