Competitive eating during Onam celebrations; participant dies choking on idli

PALAKKAD: A man died after an idli got stuck in his throat during a competitive eating competition. The incident took place during the onam celebrations at Kanjikode in Palakkad. The deceased has been identified as B Suresh, a native of Alamakam in Kanjikode, Palakkad. The idli got stuck in his throat while he was swallowing it during the competition. Though he was rushed to the hospital, his life could not be saved.

There were similar incidents reported in the past as well. S Chinnathambi had choked on his 12th idly during a competition organised as part of the celebrations of Kaanum Pongal in 2018. The incident happened in the Pandikudi village near Alangudi, Pudukkottai.

A 55-year-old had died in an Onam eating competition while gulping down his third idli. This was in 2014.