Consumption of toxic confectionery in Layyah claims five more lives

ISLAMABAD: Consumption of toxic confection has claimed another five lives while under treatment in Nishtar Hospital taking the tally to 18 on Saturday.  Resident of Tehsil Karor Lal Eisen’s Chak 105 TDA, Distt Layyah Umar Hayat brought sweetmeats from a local shop located at chowk 111 to celebrate birth of his grandson on Thursday, private news channel reported.

The confectionery items turned out to be poisonous and claimed ten lives the same day within hours while over 40 were shifted to Multan’s Nishtar Hospital and Layyah’s District Headquarters Hospital. Three year old Irum Haseeb and Irfan died while under treatment on Friday.  The four killed today are namely Sikandar, Bilal, Adnan and a woman Gul.

Medics said that toll is likely to rise as another two are critical in ward eight and 19. Police have launched an investigation in the matter.  On the other hand EDO Health Dr Amir Abdullah stated that the shop was sealed while samples of food were taken for tests. A complaint was lodged against the seller, he added.