In a heart-wrenching tragedy, two young children died, and their parents were hospitalized in critical condition after reportedly inhaling rat poison in their apartment in the Manancherry area of Kundrathur, on the outskirts of Chennai.

The victims were identified as Giridharan, Pavithra, their one-year-old son Sai Sudharshan, and six-year-old daughter Vishalini. According to the police, the family had availed the services of a pest control company to address a rodent problem in their home. On Tuesday night, the family slept in a closed, air-conditioned room where powdered rat poison had been placed by pest control personnel.

By Wednesday morning, neighbors discovered the family in distress, complaining of dizziness and vomiting. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, but tragically, Sai Sudharshan and Vishalini succumbed to the poisoning. Giridharan and Pavithra remain under intensive care, battling for their lives.

Preliminary investigations reveal that two pest control workers had placed the powdered poison in the room.

The Kundrathur police have lodged a case against the pest control firm, accusing it of negligence in connection with the unfortunate incident. An inquest has been launched to ascertain the sequence of events and determine responsibility.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sreelekshmi P/MSM)