Eleven members of the same family, including children, have become seriously ill from food poisoning during a family pitha celebration held to mark the construction of a new house in Shyamnagar of Satkhira.
The incident occurred on Monday night at the home of Said Gazi in Sonakhali village of Ramjannagar Union. The affected individuals are currently receiving treatment at the upazila health complex.
Those who fell ill are Sumaiya (22), Aija (2), Mehjabin (10), Samida (4), Aklima (35), Jannati (15), Aiyub Khan (60), Ajiha (1), Sharmin (23), Mita (35) and Umme Habiba (21).
According to family sources, to celebrate the new house, Said Gazi invited his daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and other family members for pitha. During preparation, an elderly woman in the household, Julakha Bibi, aged over seventy, mistakenly mixed granulated pesticide stored in the kitchen, thinking it was black cumin.
Shortly after eating the pitha, the family members began experiencing vomiting, dizziness and stomach pain. Neighbours quickly took them to the upazila health complex, where doctors performed stomach cleansing and provided necessary treatment.
Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex medical officer Shamim Hossain said the incident occurred due to food contamination. He said all patients have received necessary treatment and are still under observation.
Inspecting the scene, Shyamnagar Police Station sub-inspector Mohammad Biplob Hossain said the food poisoning occurred accidentally.
