VEHARI - The death toll from the alleged food poisoning has reached nine while dozen others are admitted to various hospitals here in Tehsil Mailsi.
It is to be noted that the condition of more than 25 farm workers including women deteriorated after having lunch at the Dera of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA Jahanzeb Khan Khitchi here the other day. As soon as the workers consumed food came from the house of MPA Jahanzeb Khan Khitchi they fainted while two of them identified as Shahban and Rana Fida Hussain died on the spot.
Those who were admitted to THQ Hospital Mailsi and other private hospitals included Allah Ditta, Noor Muhammad, Irfan, Falak Sher, Ghulam Abbas, Muhammad Ejaz, Waryam, Sughran Mai, Kaneez Fatima, Hafiz Ameer, Maqbool Ahmad, Muhammad Hussain Mochi, Banudaia and others. However, seven more of the injured also breathed their last in hospital while the condition of the rest is stated to be critical.
On the other hand, locals blamed the Health Department negligence for the rise in number of deaths, saying that all the people were died due to the food poisoning. They claimed that the administration of THQ Hospital did not treat patients and the death toll rose due to shifting of the patients to other healthcare facilities.
The relatives of the deceased have kept mum about the cause of deaths. It is to be noted that the cook who prepared the food has also died. While both the Police and the Health Department have not taken any action yet 'apparently' due to the influence of the Kitchi family.
Neither autopsies have been carried out of the dead nor could the police register any case so far.
When contacted, MPA Jahanzeb Khan Kitchi termed extreme hot weather as the cause of all the deaths.
"The food has nothing to do with this incident as from years I myself and the workers are eating from here but never such incident occur in the past," he pointed out, adding that he would himself enquire into the incident and dig out facts.