2 children die of suspected food poisoning in Punjab

Kapurthala, Aug 2: Two children died of suspected food poisoning at an 'ashram' for mentally challenged children here while 31 others were taken to hospital after they were taken ill. The deceased children were aged between 10 and 12.

Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh said 33 children were residing at Sukhjit Ashram near the railway station here.

Last night, two children showed symptoms of food poisoning and started vomiting. Within an hour, one of them died at the ashram, while the other child died at the hospital this morning.

As a precautionary measure, all 31 children have been put under observation after around seven of them showed symptoms of food poisoning and were rushed to the civil hospital, he said.

The cause of deaths is not yet clear but an inquiry has been ordered, he said, adding the food samples have also been taken by the health teams that are camping in the ashram.

PTI