Lab test finds toxic substance after five children die in KP’s Khyber
Lab tests found a toxic substance in a sample from one child after five children died in Khyber. Police are investigating how it entered the child's system.
Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
Seven children from the family of Shah Gul Afridi fell ill, and five of them died.
Nukta
Five children under five died after a suspected poisoning in Pakistan's Khyber district on Nov. 9, and laboratory tests found a toxic substance in a sample from one victim, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali said Thursday. Police are investigating the case in the Zakhakhel area.
What caused the deaths of five children in Khyber?
Officials have not yet established how the substance entered the child's system. Laboratory tests at the Khyber Medical College in Peshawar detected a toxic substance in a sample from one affected child. The reports now sit with the Khyber District Police Officer for further investigation and possible legal action.
Who were the children who died in Khyber?
Seven children from the family of Shah Gul Afridi fell ill, and five of them died. The deceased included three girls and two boys, all younger than 5, according to local authorities.
"The children had lost consciousness and were being transported to hospital when five of them died en route. The two surviving children were shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar for treatment," Ali said.
The two surviving children were discharged from the hospital Thursday after recovering.
How were the samples tested after the Khyber deaths?
Medical teams sent blood, urine and other samples to the Khyber Medical College laboratory in Peshawar after the children developed an unusual illness. The tests were conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
"Laboratory reports confirmed the presence of a toxic substance in a sample collected from one of the affected children," the deputy commissioner said. He added that the reports had been forwarded to the Khyber District Police Officer.
What happens next in the Khyber investigation?
Police will continue the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators also aim to determine how the toxic substance entered the child's system.
"Police will conduct further investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine how the toxic substance entered the child's system," Ali said.
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