Post News Network
Sambalpur, April 8: At least three children died and 25 persons were taken critically ill after having food at a wedding feast at Bhulki village under Naktideula block of the district Wednesday.
The children, who had the food Monday night, died Wednesday morning, police officials said. They have been identified as Birsa (5) and Sunita Purti (3), the son and daughter of Mangara Purti, and nine-year-old Sulami Munda.
The 25 critically-affected persons were admitted to a nearby government hospital. Some persons who fell ill after eating the food were discharged after treatment at the primary health centre (PHC) in Girishchandrapur under Naktideula block.
Police sent the bodies of the children to the sub-divisional hospital in Redhakhol for post-mortem and registered a case of unnatural death at Kisinda police station.
Additional district medical officer (ADMO) Panchanan Nayak said the children died because of food poisoning.
Doctors, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers and healthcare workers have been rushed to the village, where a camp has been set up, to monitor the situation, said Nayak, adding the situation is under control.
People from Latabira village under Jujumara block of Sambalpur had come to Bhulki village to attend the marriage of a boy of their village to Shukra Munda’s daughter Monday. The groom’s relatives, friends and other villagers, however, fell ill after having food at the marriage party. The situation got aggravated as the villagers went to traditional healers and local quacks instead of consulting doctors. This could have been the reason behind the death of the three children, health department sources said.
Naktideula block development officer Romanchal Khamari said a report would be sent to the state government after an inquiry. Government benefits would also be provided to the families of the deceased, he said.
