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 in the village of Pietracatella. Authorities believe they contracted a severe form of food poisoning that led to fulminant hepatitis, a rapid and catastrophic liver failure.
The family's meal is reported to have included fish, mussels, and mushrooms. Shortly after eating, the mother and daughter developed severe nausea and abdominal pain. Sara was taken to the emergency room twice but was sent home. Her condition later deteriorated dramatically, and she died at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday, 27 December.
Hospital Response and Ongoing Investigation
Following Sara's death, doctors, concerned by the "rapid and sudden progression" of the illness, urgently requested that Antonella be brought to hospital as she showed identical symptoms. Despite medical efforts, she also died. Dr Vincenzo Cuzzone from Cardarelli Hospital described the clinical picture as "truly rare" and said staff tried to "stay ahead of the curve, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough."
The family's 55-year-old father, Ganni Di Vita, 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; it is reported she did not share the fateful dinner.
Police have seized food samples from the family home, including tinned and fresh produce, to identify the source of the contamination. The public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation and ordered autopsies. Five doctors from Cardarelli Hospital are under investigation for potential manslaughter related to the initial care provided.
Community in Mourning
The local community has been left reeling by the double tragedy. Village mayor Antonio Tommasone said the village was "in disbelief" and offered condolences from the entire community. Christmas events were cancelled, and villagers held a vigil at the hospital.
Prosecutor Nicola D'Angelo stated the investigation aims to uncover any negligence, determine the exact cause of the poisoning, and "ensure that no other citizens are involved in a tragedy of this nature."
