Deadly Pesticide Exposure in Gwalior: 4-Year-Old Dies, Family Critical After Inhaling Aluminum Phosphide Fumes

A four-year-old boy tragically lost his life while three of his family members were left in critical condition after inhaling poisonous fumes from insecticide tablets that were stored alongside grain in a rented residence in Gwalior's Pinto Park area.

The incident occurred late Sunday night in a three-storey building located behind Senapati Garden, within the jurisdiction of the Gola Ka Mandir police station. Police reports indicate that the property owner, Krishna Yadav, had stored approximately 250 quintals of wheat in the building's gallery to protect it from infestation. To preserve the grain, he reportedly placed around 50 sulphas (aluminium phosphide) tablets among the sacks—a hazardous chemical known to emit deadly phosphine gas when it comes into contact with moisture.

The affected family—Satyendra Sharma (51), his wife Rajni Sharma, their 13-year-old daughter Chhaya, and 4-year-old son Vaibhav—resided on the ground floor of the building. At approximately midnight, they began experiencing dizziness and respiratory distress. By morning, neighbors discovered them unconscious. Tragically, young Vaibhav was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, while his parents and sister remain in critical condition, requiring ventilator support.

Police officials and a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) arrived at the location early Monday morning. They collected samples of the pesticide and grain sacks for analysis. CSP Robin Jain confirmed: "A team of experts is investigating the cause. Initial evidence indicates that sulphas tablets were improperly used for household grain storage, releasing toxic gas that resulted in the fatality."

The autopsy report verified that Vaibhav died from asphyxiation caused by phosphine gas exposure. Following the incident, authorities sealed the premises and initiated an investigation into how such dangerous chemicals were present in a residential area.

Sulphas, a restricted fumigant, is prohibited for open domestic use and can only be provided to certified warehouse operators. Nevertheless, according to officials, the landlord purchased these tablets from a private seed store in Gohad, highlighting the concerning ease with which such dangerous substances are available in local markets.

Around midnight, the family began experiencing symptoms of poisoning, feeling dizzy and struggling to breathe.