A 46-year-old woman died after falling into a huge vessel of boiling food while helping prepare meals for a religious festival in India.
The victim, identified as Sujatha, was helping with an annadanam, a free community food distribution program, during Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday, Sept. 20.
According to local reports, Sujatha was assisting with food preparations when organizers were moving a large container filled with hot sambar, a popular South Indian lentil-and-vegetable stew.
She reportedly lost her balance and fell into the vessel, suffering devastating burns.
Others at the scene immediately rushed to help her and transported her to a government hospital in Vijayawada for emergency treatment.
Doctors fought to save her, but her injuries proved too severe. Sujatha died Monday morning while still undergoing treatment.
The horrific accident was reportedly captured by CCTV cameras, and footage later circulated on social media.
Police have now opened an investigation and are speaking with people who were present as they try to determine exactly how Sujatha fell and whether conditions around the large cooking vessel played any role in the tragedy.
Authorities are currently treating her death as an accident, though the investigation remains open.
Sujatha was reportedly from the Chittinagar area of Vijayawada and was helping relatives with the cooking arrangements when the accident occurred. One report said she had been staying at her younger son’s home.
Annadanam is a tradition in which free meals are served to worshippers and members of the community, often during Hindu festivals and religious gatherings.
The program was being held as part of celebrations honoring Lord Ganesha, also known locally as Vinayaka.
What was meant to be a day of celebration and charity instead ended in tragedy, leaving Sujatha’s relatives and the surrounding community devastated.
Police are continuing to collect information from witnesses as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.
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