Mumbai: A feast turned into a tragedy on Saturday night when four members of a family – two sisters and their parents – died within hours of eating watermelon. Police said that while five other relatives shared the biryani-pulao with them at 10.30 pm and did not report any symptoms, only four consumed the fruit around 1 am on Sunday. Residents of the late Bhendi Bazaar include Abdulla Dodakia (44), wife Nasreen (35), daughters Ayesha (16) and Zainab (12) who owned a mobile accessories store in Andheri. Doctors at JJ Hospital, where the three victims were being treated, were equally confused. They said it was “unlikely” that a stale watermelon killed four people in such a short period of time and that all medical efforts could not save their lives. The spate of deaths occurred at around 10.30 am of Zainab, followed three hours later by Nasreen, Ayesha at around 5.15 pm and Abdulla at around 10.15 pm.
Doctors are puzzled
A doctor involved in the care at JJ Hospital said the three suffered classic symptoms of food poisoning and their kidneys were severely affected. JJ Marg police have registered four cases of accidental death and investigation is ongoing. They said Abra’s brother and other relatives lived nearby and returned home shortly after the party. “The statements of Abdullah and Ayesha were recorded. They said they suffered from vomiting and diarrhea after eating watermelon. No foul play is suspected at this time. “Autopsy and forensic reports are awaited,” a police officer said. Samples of the watermelon have been sent for testing. Both sisters are waiting for their exam results. Ayesha is expected to pass Class X with flying colours, while Zainab is ready to join Class IX, police said. All four people began reporting symptoms of vomiting and severe discomfort between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Sunday. The family lived on the second floor of the Mughal Mansion in Gatigali. Chaos erupted on their floor between 9.30am and 10am on Sunday, with neighbors calling Zaid Qureshi, a homeopathic doctor on the fourth floor who said Zainab had foam in his mouth, a pulse undetectable and three other family members in a semi-conscious state. Times of India’s attempts to contact him at press time were unsuccessful. Neighbors rushed family members to the hospital. They were rushed to Saboo Siddique Hospital, where Zainab was pronounced dead. Abdullah and Nasreen were moved to JJ Hospital, followed by Ayesha. Dr. Sanjay Surase, director of the hospital, said: “It is unlikely that a stale watermelon could have such fatal consequences. It may contain some additives or something else. At the moment, we are not ruling out any possibility.”“ Nasreen died two hours after being admitted to the hospital. Ayesha was moved to the intensive care unit, followed by her father. They died about five hours apart. (With input from Rachael Varghese)
