Tragedy Strikes Andhra Pradesh Hostel: Food Poisoning Claims Three Young Lives

Three children died and several others were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning at a religious organization-run hostel in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh. Authorities shift the blame on poor monitoring. YSRCP Chief urges improved systems to prevent future tragedies.

Three children lost their lives, and several more were hospitalized following a suspected food poisoning case at a hostel managed by the Aaradana Trust in Kailasa Patnam, Kotavuratla Mandal of Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district. Among the deceased were two girls and one boy, confirmed Anakapalli Collector Vijaya Krishnan.

Out of 86 children residing in the hostel, 27 fell ill after consuming contaminated food. Authorities reported that five critically ill children were transported to Visakhapatnam KGH on Monday morning. The hostel houses children from first to fifth grade, who attend a nearby school.

According to the Collector, the students were served biryani. Parents were immediately informed when the children began vomiting. Despite efforts to transport the sick children to Narsipatnam Area Hospital, two girls, Shadda and Bhavani from Chintapalli mandal, and a boy, Joshua from Koyyur mandal, succumbed. Seven others remain critical, while 16 children are receiving treatment in government hospitals in Chintapalli, Paderu, and Koyyur. Local officials, including Narsipatnam RDO HV Jayaram, are actively monitoring the situation.

YSRCP Chief and former Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed profound grief over the incident, demanding the best medical care for the affected students and support for the families of the deceased. Criticizing the government's negligence, Reddy emphasized the need for systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies, accusing the authorities of prioritizing false propaganda over genuine preventive measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)