WB: 400 sick with food poisoning, two children die

Two children died and over 400 others were hospitalised after eating food at an iftaar party in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said on Tuesday.

The condition of five patients was critical, said Bhattacharya.

She said a large number of people fell ill after taking ghugni (made of pulses), prepared at a community kitchen, at an iftaar party on Monday at Bankra area in North Dum Dum.

All the victims were taken to a local hospital, where the two children died.

A medical team has been sent to Bankra, the minister said, adding that she herself was rushing to the area.