A tragic event has struck the locality of Bamesso, in the Bamboutos department, West region of Cameroon. Two young children, both under the age of ten, have died after consuming a meal of rice. The tragedy took place this Wednesday, February 25, sowing consternation within the community.
According to the information gathered, the children had consumed the rice prepared the day before, that very morning, before going to school. Shortly after leaving their home, they collapsed in the courtyard of their family compound. Despite the efforts made to rescue them, the two schoolchildren succumbed.
The exact circumstances of this double death remain unknown for the moment. An investigation has been opened by the competent authorities in order to determine the precise causes of this tragedy and to identify whether the consumption of the meal is directly linked to the deaths. The results of this investigation are eagerly awaited by the families and the community, eager to understand what could have happened.
This tragic incident comes a few months after a similar event in Douala, where two children also lost their lives after consuming biscuits distributed by a merchant. These events highlight the importance of vigilance in food safety and the need to strengthen controls on food products available on the market.
Local authorities and public health services are mobilized to provide support to bereaved families and to raise awareness among the population about the risks associated with the consumption of potentially contaminated food. Prevention measures could be put in place to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The ongoing investigation will have to determine whether specific measures need to be taken to guarantee the food safety of the populations, particularly with regard to food sold by street vendors or in precarious hygiene conditions. The community of Bamesso is in mourning, and the hope is that light will quickly be shed on this case in order to avoid new tragedies.
In Cameroon, food poisoning is a public health concern. A study conducted between 2010 and 2014 in hospitals in the North West region revealed that pesticides were the most frequently identified toxins in cases of food poisoning. The most common symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.
In August 2024, six people died in the East region after consuming fufu corn contaminated with toxic substances used to repel animals. In December 2025, in Douala, two children and a neighbor died after consuming rice and stew prepared at home. These tragic events highlight the risks associated with food contamination and the need to strengthen health security measures.
The competent authorities must determine the origin of this tragedy, in particular the causes linked to the consumption of the meal. An investigation has been opened to shed light on the true causes of their death.
