The tragedy began on a Saturday night in Mumbai, when 13-year-old Zainab sat down for a biryani feast with her parents, elder sister, and extended family. It was a standard weekend gathering that ended, a little after midnight, with a serving of watermelon for dessert. Yet, within just 12 hours, what should have been a quiet Sunday morning turned into a nightmare as all four members of the immediate family died one after another, leaving the local community in a state of profound shock.
Police suspect the fatalities were caused by severe food poisoning. The victims — 40-year-old local trader Abdullah Abdul Kadar, his wife Nasreen, 35, and their daughters Ayesha, 16, and Zainab — had shared dinner with five other relatives at around 10:30 pm. There were no immediate concerns for their health following the meal. It was only after they returned to their home in Pydhonie and consumed the watermelon at 1 am that things took a turn. By 5 am, the entire family was gripped by violent vomiting and diarrhoea.
Despite the efforts of a local doctor, their condition deteriorated rapidly. Dr Ziad Qureshi, who first examined them, noted that they appeared completely exhausted and were in a critical state. Upon being rushed to JJ Hospital, the younger daughter, Zainab, was the first to pass away at 10:15 am. Her mother and elder sister followed shortly after, failing to respond to emergency treatment. Abdullah, the father was the last to succumb, dying at approximately 10:30 pm that same day.
Authorities have registered a case of accidental death and are awaiting the results of post-mortem examinations. To piece together how a family dinner turned fatal, investigators have seized a half-eaten portion of the watermelon for laboratory testing. Pravin Munde, Deputy Commissioner of the Mumbai Police, confirmed that samples from the bodies have been secured for further forensic analysis.
Now, the inquiry is a joint venture among the police force, forensics, and the State FDA. Scientists are investigating if there were any toxins or chemical adulteration present in the fruit consumed. Simultaneously, the microbiology lab at JJ Hospital is performing tests to identify any possible bacteria in the body.
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