Three children die after consuming ‘toxic’ snacks

ALPURI: Three children lost their lives in Sangarai area in Shangla district after consuming “toxic” snacks while another child was under treatment at Saidu Sharif Hospital in Swat.

It was learnt that a group of children fell ill after having a papad which they had bought from a local shop. They were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Alpuri, where two of them died. The third child was referred to Saidu Sharif Hospital in Swat.

In another incident, a child from remote village Gali Bat also consumed “toxic” churan and was taken to DHQ Alpuri, where he could not survive.The deaths sparked outrage on social media with people criticizing the district administration for focusing on photo sessions. In response to the backlash, Shangla’s district administration announced a crackdown against those making substandard snacks.

The children, who lost their lives, were identified as Hamza, son of Bahawal Din, Nadia, daughter of Farooq, Muaz, son of Bakht Rehman. They were laid to rest in their respective villages.Meanwhile, Hadiya, daughter of Bahawal Din, who was under treatment at Saidu Sharif Hospital, was now out of danger.