In yet another tragic incident, five children of the same family died of suspected food poisoning here on Friday, the police said. The ill-fated family, who came all the way from Quetta had reportedly bought some foodstuff (biryani) from NauBahar restaurant in the Saddar area last night and had consumed the same during their overnight stay at Qasr-e-Naz, a government lodge, here.
Later in night the children, their mother and paternal aunt fell sick, and got unconscious. They were rushed to a private hospital located at Stadium Road where the children expired on arrival, police and Sindh Food Authority (SFA) said. "All five siblings passed away however, their mother is in critical condition," SP Gulshan, Tahir Noorani told media.
The private hospital also released official statement on the matter which said, "Five children were brought dead on arrival this morning. One adult woman which is part of the same family was also brought in. She is in critical condition. We are working with the police and law enforcement agencies to support their investigation of this incident."
Quoting the children's father Faisal, the DIG South Sarjeel Kharal told media that the family also had lunch at one of his friend's home in Khuzdar Baluchistan earlier in the day. They also had had chips and juices in Hub. The SP Gulshan said the initial reports suggest the cause of death appears to be food poisoning. However, the restaurant was shuttered. Food samples collected from the restaurant have been sent to labs for examination to ascertain the facts.
The deceased included 1.5-year-old Abdul Ali, four-year-old Aziz Faisal, six-year-old Aliya, seven-year-old Tauheed and nine-year-old Salvi. SSP Operation South Pir Muhamamd Shah said the restaurant owner is yet to be detained; however his brother has been arrested. When police reached at the eatery owner's home in Kala Pull, they found it locked.
Over a dozen officials of the eatery have been detained, and restaurant has been sealed, he said. Police would also collect samples from all the food that the family had consumed on their way from Quetta to Karachi. The Baluchistan police was also extending its cooperation in this regard.
Meanwhile the Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and sought report from concerned departments including police to furnish an inquiry report on the investigation into the case.