The recent development in the deaths of four members of a Mumbai family last week has revealed something interesting, pointing out that it was not the ‘spoiled/rotten’ watermelon that killed them, but an insidious substance (possible poisoning).
Previously, food poisoning from the summer fruit - watermelon - was being considered the reason behind the deaths, but the recent development clarifies that it was not the melon but an insidious substance that turned some organs of the four green. The deceased are Abdullah Dokadia, a 45-year-old who ran a mobile accessories shop, his wife Nasreen, 35, and the children, Zainab, 13, and Ayesha, 16.
This all started when the family hosted their relatives for dinner on Saturday. After they left, the family ate watermelon around 1 am, got sick by 5 am. The four were vomiting, showing symptoms of diarrhoea — which pointed towards food poisoning — and the fruit was blamed for that. The four died within hours after getting ill.
The doctors who are looking into the case have now clarified that the findings did not show the symptoms of food poisoning, adding that morphine, a potent painkiller usually used in controlled medical settings, was found in Abdullah’s body.
The state Food and Drug Administration made it clear that, as of now, no direct connection has been established between the deaths and the consumption of watermelon. Authorities emphasized that any conclusions will depend on scientific verification.
Officials added that the final report is still awaited, and further action will be guided by its findings.
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