15 tribals die, 20 sick after consuming food at a marriage function

Hyderabad: Around 15 tribals died and 20 others took to ill after consuming contaminated non-vegetarian food at a marriage party in Chaperai in Y. Ramavaram block, a very remote tribal hamlet in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

The tragedy came to light on Sunday after the villagers reported the matter to the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).

Initially, the authorities thought that the villagers are dying due to seasonal malaria, the health officials found the link between the food served in marriage party and the deaths. Medical teams have been rushed to the hilly village. Locals say that around 100 tribals ate dishes made out of some meat which was served to the guests as per the local culture.

However one after another the guests started falling sick. All those who suffered vomiting and dysentery for ten days started dying. East Godavari District collector Kartikeya Mishra confirmed the deaths and said all those ill have been shifted to different hospitals in the district for better treatment.

On Sunday Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and directed the district officials to arrange special medical camps. The Chief Minister also instructed the officials to pay Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of the dead, if the deaths are because of seasonal fever.