The consumption of poisonous wild mushrooms in two separate incidents have devastated families in Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills, leaving four dead and numerous others fighting for their lives in hospital.
Three children and an adult from the same family died over the weekend after consuming mushrooms in Saphai village.
The three children, who died on Saturday, were Wansalan Suchiang (14), Kitlang Suchiang (12) and Riwansaka Suchiang (8). A relative, Ana Suchiang (56) succumbed the following day despite receiving treatment in the Medical Intensive Care Unit of NEIGRIHMS here.
The three children were offspring of Jumonlang Suchiang and Linus Sumer. The siblings had eaten the mushrooms on May 28. As of yesterday, two others who had eaten the mushrooms were exhibiting severe symptoms of mushroom poisoning and were receiving treatment in NEIGRIHMS. One was 70-year-old Obar Sutnga and the other was a 12-year-old female.
Meanwhile, in Saiden village, five members of the same family were admitted to Bethany Hospital and Nongpoh Civil Hospital after consuming wild mushrooms that had been gathered from the jungle near Saiden village.
This incident occurred on Sunday evening when the family ate the mushrooms as part of their dinner. A couple of hours later they were taken to hospital after exhibiting symptoms.
The five have been identified as Larita Syiemlieh, Wanphrangsngi Syiemlieh (23), Daniki Syiemlieh (16), Larikynti Syiemlieh (14) and Da-u-rajied Syiemlieh (3). The mother, Larita, is in a serious condition along with one of the children.
