9-year-old boy dies during surgery at Kasaragod General Hospital

A nine-year-old boy died during a surgical procedure at the Government General Hospital in Kasaragod on Wednesday, prompting investigations by the police and the Health department.The deceased was identified as Iyas, son of Ashraf, a native of Bedakam. He had been admitted to the hospital for treatment of an ailment related to the navel and was undergoing what the family described as a minor surgical procedure.According to the boy’s father, the family took him to the hospital on Tuesday morning, and the doctors scheduled the surgery for Wednesday. He said the doctors had informed the family that the child was healthy and that only anaesthesia below the waist would be required. The family was later informed that the child had died during the procedure.The police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation. The body will be shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kannur, for post-mortem.The Health department has also initiated an inquiry into the incident.Meanwhile, the hospital authorities said the child had suffered a cardiac arrest during the procedure. Published - July 15, 2026 09:23 pm IST