"No Poisoning Incident Reported Among Colleagues in 'Industry of the North'"
In the Siberian city of Neryungri, an unusual incident unfolded during the Ysyakh Olonho festival in July 2025. Nine individuals were hospitalized due to a suspected mass poisoning, with the source of contamination yet to be definitively identified.
Elena Proskurina, the chief editor of the "Industry of the North" newspaper, was among those who attended the festival. Despite the incident, Elena and her journalism colleagues, who had meals together at the school and various field locations, have reported no mass poisonings.
Elena herself had chicken cutlets for lunch at sector "G" during the Ysyakh, and did not fall ill. One of her colleagues who shared a meal with her, eating chicken meatballs, also remained unaffected.
The investigation into the mass poisoning is ongoing, with Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, demanding a report on the progress of the inquiry. A criminal case has been opened under Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for providing services not meeting safety requirements for consumers' life and health.
However, it is not specified which catering supplier Elena Proskurina believes may have provided the contaminated batch, nor is it confirmed whether the source of the salmonellosis outbreak, a related health concern, is the same as the one responsible for the mass poisoning in Yakutia.
It is premature to claim the presence of salmonella on several Ysyakh sites based on the current information. The investigation continues, and the public is encouraged to stay informed through official releases from Russian public health authorities or regional news sources covering the Neryungri area during that time.
- Elena Proskurina, despite attending the Ysyakh Olonho festival where nine individuals were hospitalized due to a suspected mass poisoning, and sharing meals with her journalism colleagues, has reported no similar incidents related to medical-conditions.
- In contrast to those hospitalized during the Ysyakh Olonho incident, Elena herself, who had chicken cutlets for lunch at sector "G," and one of her colleagues who shared a meal with her, eating chicken meatballs, remain healthy, illustrating the diverse health-and-wellness outcomes at the event.
- As the investigation into the mass poisoning continues, with Alexander Bastrykin demanding a report on its progress, the issue of crime-and-justice arises, as a criminal case has been opened under Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, holding service providers accountable for failing to meet safety requirements pertaining to general-news events like the Ysyakh Olonho festival.