2 children die after inhaling toxic gas in Gwalior:Parents critical in hospital; fumes came from pesticide sprayed to protect wheat

A heartbreaking incident in Gwalior has claimed the lives of two siblings after inhaling poisonous gas from a pesticide. The children, aged 13 and 4, died within 24 hours of each other, while their parents continue to battle for life in hospital. The gas reportedly spread after the landlord sprayed pesticide on wheat stored in the house’s porch and shut all doors. 13-year-old girl dies a day after brother Thirteen-year-old Chhaya Sharma died early on Tuesday at RIMS Hospital, Gwalior. Her four-year-old brother, Vaibhav, had passed away the previous day. Both had fallen unconscious at home after inhaling the gas. Their parents, Satyendra Sharma and Rajni Sharma, remain in a critical condition and have been shifted from RIMS to New JAH Hospital for advanced treatment. Pesticide sprayed to protect wheat The tragedy took place in Pritam Vihar Colony, located in the Gola Ka Mandir area of Gwalior. According to police, the landlord had sprayed a pesticide containing sulfas on about 30 sacks of wheat stored in the porch to prevent weevils. After spraying, he shut all doors and windows, which caused the gas to accumulate inside. The tenant family, living in two rooms adjacent to the porch, unknowingly inhaled the toxic fumes overnight. Landlord finds family unconscious When the landlord, Shrikishan Yadav, came downstairs on Monday afternoon, he noticed a strong foul smell. On entering, he found the tenant family — the parents, their daughter Chhaya, and little Vaibhav — lying unconscious. With the help of neighbours, he rushed them to hospital. Doctors declared Vaibhav dead on arrival, while the others were admitted in critical condition. The landlord, who lived on the third floor, fled the scene soon after the incident. Chhaya fought for her life for hours Doctors said Chhaya was put on life support after her brother’s death. She regained consciousness briefly several times and kept asking about her family. Despite continuous treatment, her condition worsened late at night. She passed away around 4 AM on Tuesday. Family had moved to Gwalior for work Satyendra Sharma, 51, hails from Malanpur Tudila village in Bhind and works in a factory in Maharajpura Industrial Area. He lived with his wife Rajni and their two children in a rented portion of the three-storey building owned by Yadav. Vaibhav was born after five daughters Relatives said Vaibhav was Satyendra and Rajni’s only son, born after five daughters following prayers and vows in temples. Two of their daughters had died in childhood, while two others — Bharti and Deepa — are married. Chhaya, the 13-year-old who recently died, was the youngest daughter living with them. Child found dead wrapped in a sheet After the adults were taken to hospital, neighbours returned to check on Vaibhav. They found him lifeless, lying on the third floor wrapped in a bedsheet — as if asleep. He was taken to hospital but was declared dead. Police have registered a case of accidental death and begun investigation. Police confirm second death CSP Murar Atul Kumar Soni confirmed that two children from the same family have died after inhaling sulfas gas, and both parents remain critical. Police said the landlord’s negligence is being investigated, and further legal action will follow once the parents recover and statements are recorded. ​