Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: A 46-year-old woman died after falling into a large vessel of boiling sambar while helping prepare a free community meal (annadanam) for Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations in Vijayawada. The woman, identified by police and local media as Maddi Sujatha, succumbed to severe burn injuries at the Government Hospital on Monday, September 21, a day after the accident.
What Happened
The accident took place on Sunday, September 20, during food preparations for an annadanam organised in connection with a local Ganesha idol immersion, in the KL Rao Nagar–Chittinagar area of the city. Sujatha had volunteered to help with the cooking.
According to Two Town police, as a vessel of sambar was being lowered from the stove, Sujatha lost her balance and fell into it. Police said she reportedly felt dizzy after working late into the previous night. People at the venue pulled her out immediately and rushed her to the Government Hospital with burns to about 60 per cent of her upper body. She died while undergoing treatment on Monday.
CCTV footage of the incident has since circulated widely on social media. The Commons Voice has chosen not to publish the moment of the accident.
What's Confirmed
Police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating the circumstances. The victim's age (46), the date of the accident (September 20), and her death during treatment the following day are consistent across reports.
Some details differ between outlets. Reports variously describe her as a resident of Chittinagar or of KL Rao Nagar, and accounts differ on whether one or two other women were helping move the vessel.
A Reminder on Burn Safety
Community kitchens during festivals often handle very large vessels of boiling food in crowded spaces. Standard first-aid guidance for serious burns is to move the person away from the heat source, cool the burn under running water for around 20 minutes, avoid applying ice, oil, toothpaste or turmeric, and seek emergency medical care immediately.
Sources
Deccan Chronicle (citing Two Town police), ETV Bharat, UNI, and reports by NDTV and The Times of India as cited by Gulf News. CCTV footage circulated on X.
Latest Development
As of September 23, police investigation into the accidental death is ongoing. No further official statement has been reported.