In a heartbreaking repeat of a past tragedy, an 18-month-old girl died after accidentally falling into a pot of boiling chickpeas in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district, just two years after her elder sister lost her life in a similar incident.
The devastating accident took place at the family’s home in the Duddhi area, where Priya, the toddler, was playing nearby as her mother prepared chickpeas for golgappas, a popular street food. According to police and family accounts, the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the hot vessel on the stove. In that short window, Priya accidentally toppled into the pot.
The child's screams brought her mother rushing back. She immediately pulled Priya out and rushed her to a local hospital. Owing to the severity of her burns, Priya was referred to the district hospital for further treatment. Despite doctors' best efforts, the toddler succumbed to her injuries the following evening.
The grief-stricken family, still reeling from the earlier loss of their elder daughter—who died two years ago after falling into a pot of boiling dal—cremated Priya quietly, initially without informing the authorities. Police later confirmed that the death was accidental following an inquiry and discussions with the parents.
Priya’s father, Shailendra, is a chaat vendor, and the family resides in a rented house in Duddhi. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and brought renewed focus on the often-overlooked dangers present in domestic kitchens, especially where large open vessels of hot food are used regularly.
Similar tragic accidents have been reported in other parts of India, including Haryana, Mumbai, and Delhi, pointing to an urgent need for increased awareness and preventive safety measures around children in households and small-scale food businesses.
This double tragedy has left not only the family but also the entire neighbourhood in mourning, a stark reminder of how fragile life can be—and how vital constant vigilance is when it comes to children’s safety at home.