Residents Allege Mosquito Fogging Drive Led to Deaths of Two Senior Citizens in Annur

Coimbatore: Two senior citizens from Annur in Coimbatore district allegedly died after developing breathing difficulties while a mosquito-control fogging operation was being carried out in their locality, prompting an inquiry by the police and the town panchayat. However, officials have so far not established any link between the fogging activity and the deaths.

The deceased have been identified as Mohan (65) and Rani (75), residents of the Upputhottam area under the limits of Annur Town Panchayat.

According to Upputhottam residents, personnel from the town panchayat were carrying out mosquito-control fogging in the locality on Tuesday, as part of measures to prevent the spread of dengue. The operation reportedly generated thick fumes of smoke that entered nearby houses, following which Mohan and Rani, who were inside their respective homes, developed breathing difficulties.

Family members subsequently rushed both of them to a hospital for treatment. However, they reportedly died while undergoing treatment.

The deaths led to concerns among residents, who questioned whether adequate precautions had been taken during the fogging operation and whether the chemical had been used in appropriate quantities.

Following the allegations, officials from the town panchayat and police initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the fogging operation.

Preliminary information, however, indicates that both Mohan and Rani had pre-existing respiratory and lung-related health conditions. Officials have not established that exposure to the mosquito-control fogging was responsible for their deaths, and the possibility that their underlying health conditions contributed to the fatalities is also being examined.

The police and civic authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether the fogging operation had any role in the incident.