Twin toddlers die in Idukki after accidentally ingesting pesticide

Two one-year-old twin boys died in Ozhuvathadam, near Adimaly in Idukki district, after they accidentally ingested a pesticide at their home on Friday night.

The children were identified as Ihan and Rehan, sons of Afsal and Sandra, residents of Ozhuvathadam.

According to District Police Chief K. V. Naseem, the twins were playing near a shelf where a pesticide bottle, commonly used on cardamom plantations, was kept. The chemical had apparently leaked onto the floor. A power outage occurred while the children were playing, and the parents later noticed traces of the pesticide on their hands and feet.

The parents bathed the children immediately, but around 7.30 p.m. the twins began showing symptoms of poisoning. They were first taken to a private hospital at Erumpupalam. As their condition worsened, they were shifted to the Adimaly Taluk Hospital, where one child died within minutes of arrival. The second child was moved to another private hospital but could not be saved.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. A forensic team has collected evidence from the house.

"The exact cause of death will be confirmed once the post-mortem examination report is received. At present, no foul play is suspected, and a case of unnatural death has been registered," Naseem said.