Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: A chemical examination into the deaths of two people after eating at a hotel in Vizhinjam has ruled out food poisoning, pointing instead to a possible marine toxin.

The incident occurred on February 16, 2026 prompting a detailed probe after two Kollam natives died following a meal at a Vizhinjam hotel. The deceased were Shaji (42) and his mother-in-law Rashida Beevi (58), residents of Nilamel in Chadayamangalam, Kollam. They had eaten at Asmak Hotel, located near Muhiyuddeen Mosque in Vizhinjam.

Soon after leaving the hotel, they developed severe vomiting and other physical discomfort. They were rushed to hospital, but both died. Initial assessment had pointed to food poisoning.

Examination findings

The post-mortem report, however, did not detect bacteria typically responsible for food poisoning. Samples of leftover food and water from the hotel were examined, but no such bacteria were found.

Inspections at Asmak Hotel also did not find any stale food items, and the establishment has since been allowed to reopen. Fish samples sourced from the Tamil Nadu market that supplied the hotel were tested as well, with no evidence of contamination detected.

Marine toxin angle

All members of the family had consumed fish roe at the hotel. The report states that a marine toxin present in the fish roe could have caused the deaths of Shaji and Rashida Beevi. It also notes that samples of the exact food consumed by the family were not available for testing. Police said a detailed investigation into the incident will continue.

Food safety officials and doctors treating patients who fell critically ill after eating seafood from the Vizhinjam restaurant had earlier pointed to contamination by a powerful, naturally occurring marine neurotoxin, possibly tetrodotoxin (TTX), as a likely cause of the severe symptoms.

They identified fish roe as the probable source, noting that every patient admitted to hospital had consumed the delicacy. This also explains why others who dined at the same restaurant, including members of the same groups who shared seafood, remained unaffected. The latest chemical analysis adds weight to this assessment.

What are Marine toxins?

Marine toxins, also called phycotoxins, are natural poisons produced by certain types of microscopic algae. Under specific conditions, these algae multiply rapidly into blooms. Shellfish such as mussels and oysters consume these algae and accumulate the toxins, which can then affect humans who eat them.

These toxins can cause serious health issues, including stomach pain, memory loss and paralysis, and are a global concern, causing roughly 60,000 illnesses annually. Monitoring programmes help ensure seafood safety.