Rajouri: Seven people have died due to suspected food poisoning in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, including minor children. Among those who lost their lives in the disease include two siblings. Reportedly suffering from the disease, authorities said.
A team of doctors has collected samples of drinking water and food from the Baddal village of the district. Three children of the same family too fell ill in the village. While two of them have died in the incident, the third child is treated in Jammu’s SMGS Hospital. His condition is believed to be critical.
A team of docs formed to probe the unusual incident
Apart from him, another one-year-old child has also been admitted to hospital for treatment. The government has also formed a team of doctors to probe the ‘unusual deaths’. According to officials, a total of seven members from two families have lost their lives in the last five days. Earlier on Sunday, a man and his three children too died under similar circumstances.
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma has ordered a magisterial-level inquiry into the deaths. Three siblings from the impoverished village of Khawas were brought to Kotranka Civil Hospital.
Collection of sampling underway: Official
In the meantime, taking serious note of the deaths, Director—Health Services (Jammu) Rakesh Magotra also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members and assured them swift action. “Rapid sampling is underway, while several helplines have been activated to provide assistance to the people,” said Sharma after visiting the GMC hospital and also affected remote village.
Sharing further details, an official said that a control mechanism has been implemented in affected areas to monitor the situation constantly. Authorities have also distributed helpline numbers among the public for immediate support. Necessary precautions have also been set to prevent further situations.
