Nagpur: Coldrif Cough Syrup Tragedy Claims 25th Victim as 4-Year-Old Harsh Succumbs After 128-Day Coma
In a heartbreaking development from Nagpur, four-year-old Harsh Yaduwanshi, who had been battling for his life in a coma for 128 days after consuming the toxic cough syrup Coldrif, passed away at AIIMS Nagpur late on Sunday. Officials confirmed the tragic news, marking the first death in this devastating incident after a four-month gap.
Rising Death Toll in Chhindwara District Tragedy
With Harsh's untimely demise, the death toll in the Coldrif cough syrup poisoning case has now climbed to 25 victims. Most of those who lost their lives were young children from the Parasia block of Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. While the majority of Coldrif-related deaths occurred during September and October 2025, Harsh's passing represents the first fatality in this tragedy since October 15, 2025, when Ambika Vishwakarma of Chourai tehsil in Chhindwara became the previous child victim.
Harsh's Prolonged Medical Battle
Harsh Yaduwanshi, a resident of Tikabarri village in Betul district bordering Chhindwara, was admitted to AIIMS Nagpur with severe renal failure and cerebral edema (swelling of the brain). He had been fighting for survival on ventilator support since September 26, 2025, showing no signs of movement or brain activity throughout this critical period. The young boy celebrated his fourth birthday on January 17 while remaining completely unconscious during his entire hospitalization.
A post-mortem examination was conducted on Monday following his death, after which his body was respectfully handed over to his grieving family. Harsh's mother, Radha, who had maintained a constant vigil by his bedside, had recently returned to Betul to care for his younger sibling. Tragically, Harsh's father was incarcerated when the child slipped into a coma and has not been able to see his son even after securing bail.
The Coldrif Crisis: Timeline and Symptoms
Family members revealed that Harsh was initially undergoing treatment in Parasia, Chhindwara, when his condition deteriorated rapidly after being administered Coldrif cough syrup. The public health crisis first emerged in October 2025 when numerous children in Parasia town became critically ill after consuming the same medication. The affected children presented with alarming symptoms including:
- Severe vomiting
- High fever
- Complete inability to urinate
- Acute kidney failure
Subsequent investigations uncovered that the medicine contained diethylene glycol, a highly toxic industrial chemical known to cause acute renal failure and neurological damage. This revelation explained the devastating impact on the young victims.
A Rare Survivor Emerges Amidst Tragedy
While Harsh's story ended tragically, the Coldrif episode also witnessed an extraordinary survivor. Five-year-old Kunal Yaduwanshi from Parasia, who was rushed to AIIMS Nagpur on September 11 with acute renal failure and also slipped into a coma, made a remarkable recovery after 114 days of intensive treatment. Kunal returned home earlier this week, with medical professionals describing his survival as nothing short of miraculous.
Doctors noted that Kunal is the only child aged five years or younger to recover from such severe toxic exposure. His medical journey was particularly challenging as he suffered:
- Severe kidney damage
- Significant brain injury
- Multi-organ dysfunction
- Nearly absent brainstem reflexes
Kunal required mechanical ventilation and emergency dialysis within hours of admission. His recovery brought immense relief to his family, who had exhausted their savings and spent over ₹6 lakh on treatment before transitioning to government hospital care.
The contrasting outcomes of Harsh and Kunal's cases highlight both the devastating consequences of the Coldrif poisoning and the remarkable resilience possible with timely medical intervention. As authorities continue to investigate this public health tragedy, families in Chhindwara and Betul districts mourn their losses while grappling with the long-term consequences of this preventable disaster.
