A six-year-old boy lost his life and over 40 others were taken ill following a suspected food poisoning incident in a village in Jharkhand’s Giridih district, officials said.
The episode unfolded in Bajto-Kumhargarhiya village under the Muffasil police station limits, where residents reportedly consumed golgappa and chhole sold by a roadside vendor.
The incident came to light when a large number of villagers began arriving at Sadar Hospital with complaints of nausea and discomfort.
The deceased child, identified as Ranjan Kumar, son of Ram Kishore Verma, succumbed during treatment at the hospital, sparking widespread concern in the area.
Family members and locals said that several villagers, including children, women and men, had eaten the street food. While no immediate symptoms were reported, many, particularly children, began experiencing vomiting, stomach cramps and dizziness the following morning.
Also read: Biryani feast turns fatal for a family of four in Mumbai
“As the day progressed, more people developed similar symptoms, leading to panic across the village,” said a resident, who did not wish to be named. He added that the sudden outbreak left families scrambling for medical help.
Among those affected were Rinki Devi (40), her son Ranjan, and another son, Prince Kumar (11), who had eaten the snacks together. All three were rushed to Sadar Hospital late Sunday evening after their condition worsened.
Ranjan was declared dead soon after arrival, while Rinki Devi and Prince Kumar are undergoing treatment at separate private medical facilities.
With patients continuing to pour in, local authorities swung into action. An administrative team visited the village to assess the situation, while Block Development Officer Ganesh Rajak also inspected the hospital to review the treatment arrangements.
Police have detained the suspected vendor for questioning, and the Food Safety Department has been asked to investigate the cause of the incident.
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