Khajuraho, Dec 14 (NationPress) In the wake of the fourth death linked to the food poisoning incident in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, the District Collector has issued a show-cause notice to food safety officer Ved Prakash Choube.

“After the unfortunate demise of a hotel employee who fell ill due to contaminated food, Collector Parth Jaiswal has approved financial assistance of Rs 20,000 from the Red Cross Society for the family of the deceased.

Moreover, the District Collector has appealed to the Chief Minister for further financial aid to the four staff members of a private resort who became ill after eating their lunch on last Monday afternoon (December 8),” an official reported.

On Saturday, another staff member, Hardik Soni (20), an electrician, passed away at a Gwalior hospital. He was initially admitted to the Khajuraho hospital, from where he was transferred to Chhatarpur district hospital along with seven other staff members suffering from stomach pain and severe vomiting.

According to the official, seven others are still in critical condition at Jaya Arogya Hospital in Gwalior.

The victims reportedly fell ill almost immediately after consuming their lunch, which included potato and cauliflower curry, raising concerns of food poisoning.

As per police reports, nine employees began to exhibit severe symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, and anxiety shortly after their meal. They were first rushed to the district hospital, but due to their worsening condition, all were referred to Gwalior.

Two of them, one of whom was a woman, died during treatment while another succumbed on the way to the hospital.

Those who died earlier on the same day following the meal included: Pragilal Kushwaha (54), Ramswaroop Kushwaha, and Girija Rajak.

This incident has prompted immediate responses from both the health department and police.

Officials have seized food samples from the resort and begun questioning staff members. The food safety officer has been issued a notice due by December 15 for his negligence, especially considering the Chief Minister and the entire cabinet were present in Khajuraho on the incident day.

A case has been registered, and samples of food, water, and kitchen hygiene have been sent for laboratory testing.

Authorities have indicated that the exact cause of the illness will only be confirmed once the test results are available.

Collector Parth Jaiswal has ordered a comprehensive investigation and emphasized strict adherence to hygiene and food safety standards at the resort.

Chhatarpur’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) R.P. Gupta confirmed that eleven individuals were admitted to the hospital following the incident, with three dying shortly after eating the food, while eight others were referred to Gwalior for advanced care.