MUMBAI: Initial findings from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have indicated that watermelon was not responsible for the deaths of four members of a family in JJ Nagar, Mumbai, after they fell ill suddenly.
The victims were Abdullah (40), his wife Nasreen (35), and their daughters Zainab (13) and Ayesha (16). On April 26, relatives visited their home and the family ate chicken biryani with them. After the guests left, the family consumed watermelon that had been kept in the refrigerator.
Within minutes, all four reportedly developed vomiting and other symptoms and collapsed. Ayesha was declared dead on arrival at hospital, while the other three died subsequently despite treatment. The relatives who ate the biryani did not report any health issues, leading to suspicion that the watermelon may have caused poisoning.
Following the incident, tissue samples were collected and multiple items were sent for testing, including the watermelon, biryani, water, spices, uncooked chicken, rice and dates, along with water bottles and the vessel used to store water. The samples were forwarded to the Maharashtra FDA and the forensic science laboratory in Kalina.
An FDA official said the rapid onset and severity of illness affecting multiple family members did not resemble a typical food-borne infection. While contamination can cause vomiting or indigestion, it usually does not lead to such severe toxicity and death, the official said, adding that a toxin-producing bacterium is suspected and that confirmation would depend on the forensic laboratory’s report. Police are also probing other angles after a post-mortem reportedly detected morphine in the bodies.
