Two minors die of suspected food poisoning in Rajouri, toll reaches six

The death of two minor siblings in a village in Rajouri district on Thursday, allegedly due to food poisoning, has put the district administration in a difficult position. This follows the recent deaths of four individuals who developed similar symptoms in the same village.

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Both incidents have been reported from Badhal village in Rajouri, where six people have died so far. On Thursday, a seven-year-old girl and her nine-year-old brother passed away, while their brother remains under treatment at the Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri. The three siblings were initially taken to the Kotranka Civil Hospital before being referred to GMC Rajouri.

On Sunday, a 40-year-old man and his three children died under similar circumstances, while his wife and daughter fell ill, allegedly due to food poisoning.

Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma rushed to Khawas, where the village is located, after the deaths of the minors. A team of doctors, along with personnel from the Jal Shakti Department and other government wings, accompanied him during the visit. The Deputy Commissioner ordered an in-depth investigation into the deaths.

Speaking to The Tribune, Sharma said that after Sunday’s incident, water and food samples were collected from the village, but they were not found to be contaminated. “We are also exploring other possible reasons for these illnesses. Doctors have been instructed to verify the cause of these sudden deaths,” he added.

Teams from various departments are stationed in the village to identify potential threats to residents in Badhal and surrounding areas. An epidemiologist has formed a team to investigate whether a virus could be responsible for the deaths.

Dr Shamim Ahmed, Medical Superintendent of GMC Rajouri, confirmed that two minors died on Thursday after being admitted to the hospital. “While the symptoms resemble those of food poisoning, the exact cause of death is yet to be determined. It could be food poisoning or a viral infection, but confirmation will only be possible after a detailed analysis of the samples collected from the area,” Dr Ahmed explained.