The prosecutor’s office in Primorsky Krai has reported a concerning medical situation in Dalnerechensk, noting that over a five day period twenty-two residents required hospital care after displaying signs of acute poisoning. The announcement, shared via official channels, confirms that investigators are actively pursuing the case as part of ongoing inquiries conducted by the regional authorities.
According to the findings of a recent audit into the protection of residents’ rights within the healthcare system, between February 5 and February 10, 2024, twenty-two individuals from the local community were admitted to Dalnerechensk Central City Hospital with symptoms consistent with acute poisoning. The hospital records and clinical evaluations have been reviewed as part of the probe to determine whether patient safety standards were adequately observed and whether any lapses occurred in the delivery of medical care during that window.
Preliminary investigative work points to the possibility that the suspected cause of the poisoning may be linked to contaminated or substandard food served at one of the city’s dining establishments. This hypothesis is being examined alongside a broader assessment of food handling, storage practices, supplier quality controls, and the overall hygiene conditions observed within food service operations connected to the locality.
As part of the ongoing process, the prosecutor’s office has indicated that there is consideration of initiating criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, specifically concerning the provision of services that fail to meet safety and health standards for consumers. The decision to pursue criminal accountability will depend on the outcomes of further expert analyses, kitchen inspections, and testimony gathered during the investigation, all aimed at establishing whether there was negligence or deliberate malpractice affecting public health.
On February 8, a separate incident involving a large number of students occurred at a regional gymnasium in Blagoveshchensk, where authorities reported mass exposure to a suspected contaminant. In response, public health and educational officials dispatched specialists to the school to examine the cafeteria, collect food samples for laboratory testing, and review the hygiene documentation maintained by kitchen staff and administrators, ensuring that compliance with safety protocols is thoroughly assessed and any risks promptly mitigated.
Earlier reports indicated that in the Stavropol region, schoolchildren who sought rest in a health camp experienced similar health concerns related to alleged food safety issues. Authorities continue to monitor these developments, coordinate with healthcare providers, and implement precautionary measures designed to protect students and the broader community while investigations proceed and findings are finalized.