Another ‘Watermelon Death’: 15-year-old dies in Chhattisgarh weeks after Mumbai family tragedy, probe underway

A 15-year-old boy died and three children were hospitalised in Chhattisgarh after consuming watermelon kept at a house for several hours. Officials have launched a forensic and food safety investigation.

Chhattisgarh: A 15-year-old boy died while three other children were hospitalised after allegedly consuming watermelon in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district, officials said on Monday.

The incident has drawn attention because it comes only weeks after the mysterious deaths of four members of a family in Mumbai, where investigators are probing a suspected poisoning angle linked to watermelon consumption.

Incident Reported From Ghurkot Village

The incident took place in Ghurkot village, where several children had gathered at their maternal uncle’s house after attending a wedding ceremony. The deceased has been identified as Akhilesh Dhivar, a resident of Podi Dalha village.

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The other children who reportedly fell ill are Shri Dhivar (4), Pintu Dhivar (12), and Hitesh Dhivar (13). All three are currently undergoing treatment at a district hospital.

According to officials, the children consumed pieces of watermelon on Sunday evening. Soon after, Akhilesh reportedly developed vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties. Similar symptoms later appeared in the other children.

Doctors Suspect Possible Food Contamination

District hospital civil surgeon Dr S Kujur said the watermelon had reportedly been cut several hours before it was consumed, raising suspicion of contamination.

“Prima facie, the children may have suffered food poisoning due to consumption of contaminated watermelon,” Dr Kujur said. He added that Akhilesh was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while the remaining children were admitted for emergency treatment.

Authorities have preserved viscera samples of the deceased for forensic examination. Another watermelon found at the house has been sent to the food safety department for laboratory testing.

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Officials said the exact cause of death would only be confirmed after forensic and food safety reports are received.

Mumbai Case Still Under Investigation

The Chhattisgarh case comes amid ongoing investigations into the deaths of four members of the Dokadia family in Mumbai’s Pydhonie area last month.

Forensic reports in that case reportedly detected zinc phosphide a toxic rodenticide in biological samples collected from the victims. Investigators are examining whether contaminated watermelon may have played a role in the incident. Authorities, however, have not established any direct link between the two cases so far.