A family Christmas celebration in Italy has ended in tragedy after a mother and her teenage daughter died from suspected food poisoning linked to their festive meal.
A Deadly Festive Meal
Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and her 15-year-old daughter Sara Di Vita passed away within hours of each other after eating Christmas dinner with their family in the village of Pietracatella. Authorities believe the pair consumed fish, mussels, and mushrooms during the meal, which later led to a severe case of food poisoning.
Shortly after the dinner, both the mother and daughter developed distressing symptoms, including intense nausea and abdominal pain. Sara was taken to the emergency room on two separate occasions but was sent home by medical staff. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she tragically died at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday, 27 December.
Rapid Deterioration and Hospital Response
Following Sara's death, and after learning that Antonella was suffering identical symptoms, doctors urgently advised the family to bring the mother to hospital. Vincenzo Cuzzone, a doctor from Cardarelli Hospital, described the situation to Italian media, stating the clinical picture took a "truly rare turn" which led to death despite the care provided.
"We tried to stay ahead of the curve, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough," Dr Cuzzone said. The doctor confirmed that Sara had initially presented with "generic symptoms," but the "rapid and sudden progression" of the illness prompted them to hospitalise Antonella as a precaution.
The suspected cause of death is fulminant hepatitis, a sudden and severe liver failure, contracted from the contaminated food.
Ongoing Investigation and Family Impact
The rest of the family has also been gravely affected. Ganni Di Vita, the 55-year-old father, developed the same symptoms and was transferred to the intensive care unit at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, where he remains. The couple's 18-year-old daughter is under close medical monitoring; reports indicate she did not partake in the same dinner.
In response to the deaths, the police have seized food samples from the family home, including tinned goods and fresh produce, to identify the source of the contamination. The public prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation and ordered autopsies to be carried out.
Five doctors from Cardarelli Hospital are under investigation for potential manslaughter, as the inquiry examines possible medical negligence. Prosecutor Nicola D'Angelo stated the investigation aims to determine what poisoned the pair and to "ensure that no other citizens are involved in a tragedy of this nature."
The local community is in mourning, with village mayor Antonio Tommasone expressing devastation. Christmas events were cancelled, and villagers held a vigil at the hospital in the wake of the shocking deaths.
