4 dead, over 20 sick after suspected food poisoning at Odisha shraddha feast

Four people died and over 20 others fell ill after suspected food poisoning at a shraddha feast in Odisha’s Sundargarh district. Victims developed vomiting, stomach pain and weakness. Authorities sent medical teams, while food samples were collected for laboratory testing to determine the exact cause

Bhubaneswar/Rourkela: Four persons died and over 20 others fell ill after allegedly consuming food at a ‘shraddha’ in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, officials said on Sunday. The incident happened in Nuadihi village in Hemgir block of the district, they said. Soon after consuming the food, several people from Nuadihi village and neighbouring Sunakhaen village, which is in Jharsuguda district, complained of vomiting, stomach pain and severe weakness, they said.

“The affected persons were rushed to nearby hospitals. Two women from Jharsuguda district and two others from Sundargarh district died during treatment,” an official said.

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The deceased were identified as Mangal Sai Naik and Raibari Pradhan of Nuadihi village, and Ullas Khadia and Sukanti Khadia of Sunakhaen village, he said. Food poisoning is suspected to be the cause of the deaths, though the exact reason will be confirmed after medical examination and laboratory testing of food samples, officials said.

“After attending a funeral feast in Sundargarh district two days ago, some people developed diarrhoea-like symptoms. We have sent a medical team to the village, and food samples have been sent for laboratory testing,” Jharsuguda Collector Chavan Kunal Motiram told PTI.

Sundargarh Chief District Medical Officer Suresh Chandra Mohanty said around 28 people fell sick from the suspected food poisoning. Of them, six were referred to a hospital in Sundargarh and one to VIMSAR, Burla.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling expressed grief over the incident. “I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn about the deaths after consumption of food at a ‘shraddha’ in Nuadihi village under Hemgir block of Sundargarh district,” he said, wishing a speedy recovery to those undergoing treatment.