Punjab

Update: Death toll from eating ‘bad’ food reaches 22

Out of the 25 people who had had the food, eight had died on the spot.

Our Correspondent June 20, 2013

Out of the 25 people who had had the food, eight had died on the spot.

MULTAN:

The number of deaths in the Jatoi area incident where a landlord’s servants got sick after eating dinner a few days ago has reached 22.

Out of the 25 people who had had the food, eight had died on the spot. Others were taken to various hospitals in Vehari, Multan and Bahawalpur.

EDO (health) Mian Rehmat Ali was heading the inquiry. The inquiry report, released on Wednesday, based on a speculation said that the food was probably sub-standard. It said the exact reason of the deaths could not be ascertained as relatives of the deceased were not cooperative.

Mailsi’s assistant commissioner, DSP and THQ hospital MS were on the committee. Only six relatives of the deceased agreed to talk to the investigators. The report said the kitchen, where the food was cooked, was used by servants only. The owners used a separate kitchen. The owner was also questioned.

The deceased include two cooks.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2013.