WILD BEANS CLAIM TWO LIVES IN MANGOCHI

Two children have died in Mangochi after eating wild beans suspected to have contained natural poison.

According to Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Rodrick Maida the incident happened at Idrussi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Jalasi in the district.

Maida identified the two deceased as a ten months old baby Imran Mashani and one year old Patuma White both of Idrussi village in the area.

He said an insane woman identified as Abiti Kanga White went to the nearby Namizimu Forest to fetch firewood where she also collected bush beans which she prepared and shared with twelve children.

“All of them ate the bush beans without nsima and immediately after consuming the beans started vomiting,” he said. “They were all rushed to Namwera Health Centre where unfortunately Mashani was pronounced dead on arrival.”

Maida added that the remaining eleven children were referred to Mangochi District Hospital where the second victim (Patuma) was also pronounced dead upon arrival at the facility.

The police publicist further said the other ten children of between the age range of one to seven years were still admitted to Mangochi District Hospital at the time of compiling this report with their condition said to be improving.

Meanwhile, Maida has since ruled out any foul play in the incident given the circumstances in which it occurred.mana