Family of 4 in India dies within 1 day of eating watermelon, doctors say food poisoning unlikely

Indian authorities are investigating the sudden deaths of a family of four in Mumbai, India who died hours after consuming biryani followed by watermelon one night.

The biryani was a late dinner shared with relatives at around 10:30pm on Apr. 25, while only the four of them ate the watermelon later around 1am.

None of the relatives who had the same biryani dinner reported symptoms of illness, the Times of India cited the police saying.

However, hours later around 5:30am, all four in the family, which comprised two daughters and their parents, began vomiting, having diarrhoea, and other severe symptoms.

Deteriorated quickly

The family, in a critical state, were rushed to a hospital.

The youngest daughter, 12, was reportedly declared dead on arrival at around 10:30am. The first responders said she had froth in her mouth.

The second daughter, 16, and her mother, 35, passed away later in the afternoon despite intensive treatment, followed by the father, 44, at around 10:15pm that night.

Was it food poisoning?

The deaths have puzzled medical professionals.

Doctors at Sir JJ Hospital, where the family was admitted at, believe it is "highly unlikely" that watermelon, even a stale one, could lead to such rapid and fatal deterioration of health among all four of them, according to the Times of India.

A senior doctor involved in their treatment brought up possible underlying factors such as a contaminant or additive, and said nothing can be ruled out at this stage.

A medical superintendent at the hospital said the case did not match one of a typical foodborne illness.

"[Food poisoning] does not typically lead to such rapid and severe deterioration," he said, as quoted by Indian Express. "The speed of deterioration, the severity of the condition, and the fact that multiple members of a single family were affected are not consistent with a routine foodborne illness."

Instead, a toxic or chemical substance might be a possible cause, he added.

The family was also in a semi-conscious state when brought to the hospital.

According to this medical superintendent, their rapid neurological decline and loss of consciousness was more indicative of an exposure to a potent external agent.

Investigations ongoing

Post-mortem examinations have been conducted, but the authorities are awaiting further forensic reports to determine the final cause of death, NDTV reported.

Samples of the watermelon have also been taken for testing.

While the authorities continued to urge caution over food hygiene and safety, some local doctors have assured that watermelon is generally safe to consume.