Surat: Three Girls Die from Suspected Smoke Inhalation

Surat : The mysterious deaths of three young girls from Sachin Pali village in Surat have left their families devastated and the community in shock. The deceased, identified as Amrut (14), Anita (12), and Durga (9), were reportedly suffocated by toxic fumes while warming themselves with a wood fire near their home. Although initial speculation suggested food poisoning from ice cream consumption, police investigations now lean toward smoke inhalation as the primary cause.

Residents of Sachin Pali village reported that the girls were trying to keep warm by burning wood and other materials outside their home. Unfortunately, the smoke produced toxic fumes, leading to the tragic incident. Another girl, Sheela, Durga’s younger sister, was present at the scene but survived after receiving timely medical care.

Sheela recounted, “We were feeling cold and lit a fire to warm ourselves. Two of the girls had eaten ice cream earlier. Suddenly, we started feeling dizzy and vomiting, so we ran home.”

The girls were rushed to local hospitals after exhibiting symptoms of fever, vomiting, and unconsciousness. Two succumbed to their symptoms in a private hospital, while Durga passed away later at Surat Civil Hospital.

Family Devastation

The families of the deceased are grappling with immense loss. Amrut, the only daughter of laborer Ram Balak Mahato, was a beloved sister among four siblings. Anita’s father works for a private company, while Durga’s parents are daily wage laborers. The tragedy has left these working-class families shattered.

Surat Municipal Corporation Mayor Daxesh Mavani visited the grieving families at the hospital, offering condolences and assurance of support. “The exact cause will be determined after the postmortem and police investigation. We will provide all possible assistance to the affected families,” said Mavani.

Medical Investigation Underway

Dr. Ketan Nayak, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at Surat Civil Hospital, emphasized the need for a detailed postmortem report to determine the precise cause of death. “There’s evidence of smoke inhalation and conflicting reports about ice cream consumption. The postmortem will reveal the truth,” said Dr. Nayak.

Police Findings

Police Inspector J.R. Chaudhary, who is heading the investigation, ruled out food poisoning as the primary cause based on initial findings. “Only two of the three girls consumed ice cream. Our preliminary investigation points to suffocation from toxic smoke as the likely cause,” said Chaudhary.

Survivor’s Account Offers Clues

Sheela, the sole survivor of the incident, provided vital information. She recalled the dizziness and vomiting caused by the fumes and clarified that the fire had been lit to combat the cold. While her account initially led to suspicions of food poisoning, police and medical experts believe smoke inhalation played a more significant role.

Administrative Action

The incident has sparked outrage and concern in Sachin Pali village. Local authorities are under pressure to investigate the source of the toxic fumes and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Mayor Mavani assured that municipal officials are actively monitoring the case and will implement measures to ensure public safety.

Awaiting Postmortem Results

The definitive cause of death will only be confirmed after the postmortem reports are released. The results are expected to clarify the impact of smoke inhalation and whether any external factors contributed to the tragedy.