Teen dies, 3 kids hospitalised after consuming watermelon, chicken in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: A suspected food poisoning incident claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy and left three other children hospitalised in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district, triggering panic in a village and prompting a swift probe by the administration on Monday.The incident was reported from Dhurkot village, where four children from the same family fell ill late Saturday night after consuming watermelon and chicken. The children, who had come from Dalha Podi village to their maternal uncle’s house, developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea soon after the meal.Family members rushed them to hospital, but Akhilesh Dheewar (15) died on the way. The other three — Pintu (12), Hitesh (13) and a four-year-old child — were admitted to the district hospital, where doctors said their condition is now stable.Doctors suspect food poisoning but said the exact cause will be known only after laboratory analysis. “The child brought in the morning had already succumbed. The other patients are under treatment and stable,” said Dr Iqbal Hussain of the district hospital.The body of the deceased has been sent for postmortem, and viscera has been preserved to ascertain the precise cause of death. Samples of the suspected food, including watermelon, have been sent for testing.A govt statement issued late on Monday stated, "taking immediate cognisance of the incident, district collector Janmejaya Mahobe directed officials to rush medical teams to the village and ensure health screening of all family members and nearby residents. The SDM and health officials were deputed to monitor the situation on the ground."Civil surgeon S Kujur said preliminary findings suggest the children fell ill after consuming the food, but investigations are underway to confirm the source of contamination.Health teams have begun door-to-door checks in Dhurkot village, even as authorities said strict action would follow once the probe establishes responsibility.The incident has left the village shaken, with residents expressing concern over food safety and demanding clarity on the cause.