Three students of a government anganwadi centre were admitted at Government Taluk Hospital in Vandavasi town in Tiruvannamalai on Thursday after they drank paint thinner, mistaking it for a cool drink.
Police identified S. Vishnu, 4, K. Madhan Raj, 4, and S. Sudarshan, 3, as affected students of the centre, all residents of Meesanallur village. Initial inquiry revealed that the centre, which has 20 children including girls, was undergoing renovation, including painting works. As part of the work, painters filled up an empty cool drink bottle with paint thinner that included turpentine to mix with raw paint.
When the painters went for a tea break, the students took the bottle and drank from it. They felt uncomfortable and complained to the staff, who checked the bottle and found that it was thinner.
Immediately, the students were admitted to Government Taluk Hospital in Vandavasi. Later, they were referred to Government Medical College Hospital in Chengalpattu. Health officials said the condition of the affected students was stable. A case was registered by Thellar police. A probe is under way.
Published – October 10, 2025 01:04 am IST
