Disabled Child Dies After Rat Attack in Morogoro

Tragic Incident: Disabled Child Dies After Rat Attack in Morogoro

Morogoro, February 27, 2025 – A 12-year-old child with physical and mental disabilities, Christian Ngalika (also known as Dotto), tragically passed away after being attacked by three rats at his home in Mang'ula, Kilombero District.

The heartbreaking event occurred on February 26, 2025, while the child's mother, Habiba Salumu, was at the hospital with Christian, seeking medical attention for a high fever he had been suffering from.

In an emotional account, the child's grandfather, Salumu Natechi, explained that Christian had been ill throughout the week, suffering from a persistent fever. On that particular day, his mother had taken a urine sample for lab tests. When she returned home, she was horrified to discover her son being attacked by rats, with the animals biting him in various parts of his body.

"My grandson did not scream or cry while being attacked by the rats as he had no awareness of what was happening. I was next door playing a game of bao when I suddenly received a call. When I rushed home, I found my grandson in his final moments, his body already cold," Natechi recalled.

The grandfather expressed his shock and confusion over the incident, noting that while rats are common in the area due to the storage of crops, they have never attacked a person in such a manner before. "It is disturbing and heartbreaking that all three rats attacked my grandson at once. I still don't understand why this happened," Natechi said.

After Christian's death, his body was taken to Mang'ula Health Center for an examination before being released for burial. He was laid to rest on February 27, 2025.

Christian's grandmother, Saada Abdalah, shared that her grandson had been born healthy, with no apparent physical or mental disabilities. However, he had developed a serious fever at the age of six, which led to a seizure that caused him to suffer from both physical and mental disabilities.

"Marehemu Christian was born as a twin, with his sibling attending second grade, but Christian was unable to go to school due to his disability," Saada explained.

On the morning of the incident, Saada had fed her grandson milk and helped him with his hygiene before going about her daily chores. She was still working when Christian's mother returned from the lab. Upon entering the house, she found Christian being attacked by the rats and immediately screamed for help.

"By the time I rushed inside, I found my grandson in critical condition, barely recognizable from when I had left him just half an hour earlier," Saada recounted.

The child had suffered severe wounds, including bites on his upper mouth, cheek, abdomen, and fingers.

A neighbor, Zahania Abdallah, expressed shock and disbelief, stating that this was the first such incident in the area, and no one could explain where the rats had come from.

The Regional Police Commander for Morogoro, Alex Mkama, confirmed that no official report had been received yet but promised to investigate the incident further