26 IDP children hospitalized after eating toxic seeds

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 June 2008, 15:12 GMT]
Twenty-six children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) living in Yoakapuram Settlement Camp in Urumpiraai after being displaced Palaali High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam north, were admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) Tuesday evening, after eating poisonous seeds of the wild Castor Oil plant. The children are recovering after treatment, and are out of danger, JTH sources said.

The children were undergoing educational training organized by an International Welfare Organization when they found the toxic plant next to the training location, the parents of the children said.

The children admitted to JTH Tuesday night, and many have left the hospital by Thursday.

Seeds of wild Castor oil plant Ricinus communis contain ricin, a poisonous substance that could be fatal for children when consumed in large quantities.