How Poisonous Gas From Potatoes Killed Four People.

Four members of a family were killed by gas from bad potatoes they kept in their cellar in Russia's republic of Tatarstan on the Volga, local investigators said.

The bodies of a 42-year-old man, his 38-year-old wife, their 18-year-old son, and his 63-year-old mother-in-law were discovered in the basement of a garage in the town of Laishevo, according to the released official report

After they were poisoned by the poisonous gas from rotten potatoes, an eight-year-old girl discovered the bodies of her parents, brother, and grandmother in the cellar of their house.

According to a Russian news outlet, Maria Chelysheva's family was killed one by one after visiting a cellar where they stored potatoes for the winter. The orphaned girl is being cared for by her relatives.

The Incident

Mikhail Chelyshev, 42, her father, was the first to visit the cellar, unaware that the potatoes had become badly rotten. He had wanted to have the potatoes for lunch.

According to the authorities, he fell from the strong gases and died soon after.

When he did not reappear, his frightened wife, Anastasia, 38, rushed out in the dark to look for him and was likewise affected by the toxic gas.

Georgy, the couple's 18-year-old son, then went in search of his parents, only to share their awful destiny after inhaling the highly deadly gases.

Anastasia's mother, Iraida, 68, called a neighbor to report a strange situation and ask for assistance.

However, before help arrived, she also ran into the cellar, suffocated from the gas, slumped, and died, according to the police.

It is assumed that when she entered, she left the door open to allow the smells to dissipate and this was why Maria was spared.

When Maria entered the cellar, she discovered her entire family's bodies on the cellar floor.

The stunning incident occurred near Kazan in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, on the Volga River.

'They all died of gas poisoning caused by decaying potatoes in the cellar,' according to a local investigator.

Professor Chelyshev's memorial service was held in the marble hall of Kazan Federal University, where he was the head of the department of civil and business law.

What Really Happened?

Potatoes are a delicious food that may be utilized in a variety of tasty recipes. Unfortunately, it can be fatal in some circumstances.

Potatoes contain poisonous chemicals known as glycoalkaloids, the most common of which are solanine and chaconine.

Solanine and chaconine both produce toxicity by disrupting cell membranes, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. Some patients report headaches, flushing, disorientation, and fever.

Solanine is also found in plants in the Solanaceae family, which includes the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), tobacco (Nicotiana), potato, eggplant, and tomato.

This toxin has a negative impact on the neurological system, causing weakness and disorientation.

These substances are most prevalent in the plant's leaves, stems, sprouts, and fruits.

Light exposure, physical trauma, and age all increase glycoalkaloid content within the tuber, with the largest concentrations occurring directly beneath the skin.

They are partially destroyed by cooking. The glycoalkaloid content in wild potatoes is sufficient to cause harmful consequences in people.

Glycoalkaloids can cause headaches, diarrhea, cramps, and in severe cases, coma and death; however, potato poisoning is extremely rare.

According to the United States National Toxicology Program, the average American consumes no more than 12.5 mg of solanine per day from potatoes (the toxic dose is several times this, depending on body weight).

Solanine and the Nervous System

Solanine intoxication causes death by causing the depression of the central nervous system, followed by the cessation of respiration and the complete loss of cardiac activity.