WALVIS BAY – Authorities have collected samples from the food consumed by a family of seven in Walvis Bay’s Otweya informal settlement on Saturday night that resulted in the death of a family member and the hospitalisation of others.
Health authorities yesterday said they suspect food poisoning but could not determine what exactly caused the death.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday evening when the family ate porridge
with cultured milk, as well as cooked chicken purchased from a local supermarket.
The father lost his life as a result, while the remaining six family members were rushed to Walvis Bay State Hospital for treatment.
Three of them were released from the hospital yesterday morning.
According to Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the Head of Erongo Community Policing Sub-Division in the Namibian Police Force, the exact cause of death cannot be determined at this time. Samples will also be taken
from the family members for further testing.
“It is impossible to say what caused the tragedy. It could be something they ate before going to bed or something they used in the house. Hence, we are conducting a thorough investigation with health inspectors to determine the exact cause of death,” Shapumba explained.
According to the police, the family was rushed to Walvis Bay State Hospital on Sunday morning after the mother alerted her neighbour shortly after regaining consciousness after passing out in the bathroom due to severe pain. Her husband had already died by then.
The deceased was identified as Alfeus Amadhila on whom a postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
In an unrelated incident, a one-year-old girl, identified as Sara Ames, reportedly died in a fire incident that occurred at Henties Bay at midnight on Saturday.
It is alleged that the family was using a candle during the evening and went to sleep.
According to Shapumba, it is suspected that the candle was left lit and caused the fire, which also destroyed the family’s entire belongings.
Police investigations in both matters continue.
- Additional reporting Nampa