WINDHOEK: A devastating incident of suspected food poisoning has claimed the lives of fifteen members of a family in rural Namibia, making it one of the worst cases of its kind in the country, according to authorities on Wednesday.
Local reports indicate that the impoverished family consumed porridge made from cereal residues, which were leftover from brewing an alcoholic beverage. Shortly after their dinner on Saturday, the victims, who were part of a family of 21 residing in a village in the northeastern region of Kavango East, fell ill and were immediately rushed to the hospital, stated the police.
Namibia Police Investigating Incident
Tragically, as of Wednesday, fifteen individuals had lost their lives, informed Kauna Shikwambi, spokesperson for the police, to AFP. Shikwambi further expressed, “So far, this is the largest number of deaths suspected to be a result of ingesting potentially toxic substances.”
An investigation has been initiated, and authorities are currently awaiting the results of autopsies and laboratory tests to shed light on the cause of this devastating incident, added Shikwambi.
