Last Update:18 November 2024 13:48 IST

Pest control was carried out in a high-rise building in Chennai against mouse infestation. According to the police, the pesticide leaked into the room through the air conditioner, leading to the tragic incident.

The family lived in a high-rise apartment in Chennai’s Kundrathur area. (Agent/Shutterstock)

In a horrific incident, two children in Chennai died from prolonged exposure to rat poison after the smell of pesticides permeated their room due to the air conditioning being on throughout the night.

The children’s father, Giridharan, was a bank manager by profession. He lived in a high-rise apartment in Chennai’s Kundrathur area with his wife and two children.

In order to eliminate the mouse infestation, the association engaged pest control services. According to the police, when the air conditioner was turned on, the pesticide used penetrated into the room, leading to this horrific incident.

Police suspect that the rodent control pesticide somehow found its way into the bodies of all four members of the family. Two people responsible for apartment services were detained.

The incident emerged on November 13. According to the information obtained, an agreement was made with the pest control company to apply chemical powder throughout the building in order to combat the increasing mouse population.

Unaware of the recent application of pesticides, Giridharan turned on the air conditioner before going to bed at night. The person, who had respiratory distress in the morning, contacted a friend for help. All four members of the family were quickly taken to the hospital.

Tragically, her daughter and son succumbed to poisoning at a hospital in Kundrathur on Thursday. Giridharan and his wife Pavithra are currently receiving treatment in a private hospital.