Bonalu Festival Turns Tragic in Hyderabad: One Dead, Several Hospitalised Due to Suspected Food Poisoning

Bonalu Festival Turns Tragic in Hyderabad: One Dead, Several Hospitalised Due to Suspected Food Poisoning

Hyderabad, July 22:  What should have been a day of celebration during the Bonalu festival turned into a heartbreaking tragedy in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad. A family gathering for the auspicious occasion ended with one person dead and seven others hospitalized after consuming contaminated meat. The incident occurred on the last Sunday of the Ashada month, a significant day in the Bonalu festivities. Residents of the RTC Colony in Vanasthalipuram reportedly prepared and consumed meat—chicken and goat—brought for the festival. The leftovers were stored in the refrigerator and consumed later, which authorities suspect led to the food poisoning. Soon after the meal, the family members began experiencing symptoms such as severe vomiting and diarrhea. They were immediately rushed to Chintalkunta’s Himalaya Hospital for treatment. Among the affected are Rajitha (38), Jashwitha (15), Gauramma (65), Lahari (17), Santosh Kumar (39), Radhika (38), and Baby Krithanga (7). Tragically, RTC employee Sr…