Lucknow Food Poisoning: 2 Children Die, Over 12 Fall Sick at Government Rehabilitation Centre in Para

At least two children died and several others fell ill, allegedly due to food poisoning at a government rehabilitation centre for children in the Para area of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, March 25. Approximately 20 special needs children residing at the centre experienced sudden illness and were taken to Lokbandhu hospital.

"Around 20 children were brought to the hospital Tuesday evening from the rehabilitation centre. All these children are mentally challenged. They were severely dehydrated when they arrived. Despite our best efforts, two children died," Dr Rajeev Kumar Dixit, Medical Superintendent of Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Combined Hospital, told PTI Videos on Thursday.

VIDEO | Lucknow: At least three children died and 25 fell ill due to food poisoning Rajkiya Balgriha. The ill children have been admitted to Lok Bandhu Shri Raj Narayan Combined Hospital. More details are awaited.#LucknowNews#UPNews

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/Jo6t1yER2G

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 27, 2025

Two critically ill children were referred to another government hospital, and the condition of the remaining 16 has improved, he added. The incident triggered an investigation by local authorities. Lucknow District Magistrate has formed a committee to determine the cause of the alleged food poisoning. Officials from the Health Department and Food Safety Department visited the hospital to interview the affected children.

Also Read | Nanded Food Poisoning: Over 30 Students Hospitalised After Consuming Breakfast at Educational Facility.

"Officials of the Health Department and Food Safety Department reached the hospital. These officials have also questioned the children admitted," a government official told news agency PTI. Food samples have been collected from the rehabilitation centre for analysis.

"A team of the Health Department and Food Safety Department reached the rehab centre and took food samples. Action will be taken based on the investigation report," an official source said. According to District Probation Officer Vikas Singh, the centre houses 147 children, primarily orphans and those with mental challenges.

Uttar Pradesh: In Lucknow, two children died of food poisoning at Nirvana Rajkiya Bal Grah. 23 others are hospitalized, with two critically ill referred to KGMU

Rajiv Dixit (CMS, Lok Bandhu) says, "It's difficult to say if this is due to food poisoning. When the children arrived… pic.twitter.com/u6XUGhIAHO

— IANS (@ians_india) March 27, 2025

"It's difficult to say if this is due to food poisoning. When the children arrived here, they were already mentally challenged and unable to care for themselves. They likely had caretakers at the facility. Upon arrival, some children were found to have anemia and dehydration. We have conducted all necessary investigations, including X-rays and blood tests," Lok Bandhu CMS Rajiv Dixit.