Cuttack: In a tragic incident, five members of a family in Kendrapara district fell seriously ill after allegedly consuming watermelon, with a 13-year-old boy succumbing during treatment.

The deceased has been identified as Swadhin Senapati from Kupuni village under Pattamundai block. He was the only son of Panchanan Senapati.

According to family members, Swadhin died while undergoing treatment in Cuttack.

Family member Malaya Senapati said all five members had consumed watermelon on Friday evening, following which they developed severe health complications later in the night.

“They suddenly fell ill after eating the fruit, and their condition deteriorated rapidly,” he said.

The affected family members were initially rushed to a medical facility in Kendrapara and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment.

The incident has raised concerns over possible food contamination or poisoning, though the exact cause of the illness is yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, the death of the minor has cast a pall of gloom over the village.