A disturbing incident in West Bengal’s Medinipur district left six members of a family hospitalized after a cooking error turned their meal dangerously toxic. Reports indicate that a woman accidentally used acid instead of water while preparing food, leading to severe poisoning for the entire household, including two young children. The family was immediately rushed to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where doctors described the children’s condition as critical.
Authorities and police quickly launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest the mishap was linked to the family’s professional environment, as one member works with copper and silver, requiring the use of acid at home. It appears the acid was mistakenly poured into cooking utensils by a relative who assumed it was ordinary water.
Neighbors of the Santosh Sanyasi household confirmed that keeping acid at home was a common practice, which likely contributed to the tragic misunderstanding. The incident highlights the potential dangers of storing hazardous substances in domestic settings without proper precautions.
Police continue to investigate to determine whether the event was purely accidental or involved any malicious intent. Meanwhile, hospital authorities are providing intensive medical care to all six family members. Doctors have emphasized the need for immediate medical intervention in cases of chemical ingestion, particularly with corrosive substances like acid, which can cause severe internal injuries and long-term health complications.
The incident has prompted discussions among local authorities and community members regarding the safe storage of chemicals in households. Officials have urged residents who work with acids or other hazardous materials to take extreme precautions, including separate storage areas and proper labeling, to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.
This unfortunate event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing household chemicals with food preparation and highlights the need for awareness and safety measures to protect families, especially children, from preventable accidents.
