Infant dies after choking on balloon for older brother’s birthday party in Mymensingh

The family was busy putting up balloons for the party and 7-month-old Rafsa was playing in the bed when the incident occurred

A 7-month-old girl has died from choking on a balloon during preparations for her older brother’s birthday party in Mymensingh’s Gafargaon.

The incident occurred at Charipara village in the Upazila’s Barbaria Union around 8:30pm on Monday, according to Mahabul Alam, a member of the local union council.

The victim was identified as Rafsa, the daughter of local resident Rony Mia.

UP member Mahabul said that Monday was the fourth birthday of Rafsa’s older brother Ihan and the family was preparing to celebrate the event.

Around 8:30am, the family was busy blowing up balloons for the party. Rafsa was playing on the bed.

Unknown to the rest of the family, she put a balloon in her mouth and it got stuck in her throat. When the family realised the issue, they rushed the child to the Gafargaon Upazila Health Complex. She died along the way.

In an instant, the family’s celebrations turned to sorrow due to the tragic incident, Mahabul said.

The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area, he added.