Death of toddler twins in Idukki: Pesticide poisoning suspected; police await forensic results

Idukki, Kerala: The deaths of one-year-old twin boys at Adimali in Idukki have raised suspicion after a preliminary examination indicated poisoning. Police are questioning the children's parents and investigating how the boys were exposed to the chemical.

The deceased are Rihan and Ihan, sons of Afsal, residing in Adimali panchayat. At around 7:30 pm on Friday, the two children became unwell and were taken to different hospitals. One child was taken to the Adimali taluk hospital and the other to a private hospital in Adimali. One died before reaching the hospital, while the other died after being admitted. The bodies are currently kept at the respective hospitals.

A preliminary examination found poison in the body of one child. Police suspect that the children may have been exposed to pesticide, but the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

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Father initially said thinner was consumed

The children's father initially told police that the twins had consumed paint thinner used for painting. However, a preliminary examination indicated that pesticide, rather than thinner, had entered their bodies.

Police are waiting for the postmortem and chemical examination results to establish the exact cause of death.

During an inspection of the rented house, police found a pesticide bottle in a leaking condition. The chemical had spilled onto the floor, where police also found what appeared to be the children's fingerprints.

The family had moved into the house about two months ago. According to the parents, the pesticide was already there before they moved in.

Police found that the bottle had been kept at a height but had apparently leaked and the chemical reached the floor.

Investigators are examining whether the pesticide found in the house entered the children's bodies. They are also checking how much of the chemical, which is used to destroy termites, could cause fatal poisoning.

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Further tests to determine cause of death

A forensic team will inspect the house. The recovered chemical and samples from the children's bodies will undergo detailed analysis.

Police said the preliminary assessment was that the parents were unaware of the pesticide.