An interprovincial police inquest into the deaths of five children, whose deaths came shortly after eating noodles, has puzzled authorities.
Are noodles linked to deaths of five SA children?
As reported by IOL News, South African police confirmed that a toxicology examination is underway to determine if poisoning, or defected noodles, could have led to the deaths of three children from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Three children in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
It’s believed the children, aged seven, 11, and a four-month-old baby, were with relatives in New Brighton on Sunday 7 November 2021 when the bizarre deaths occurred.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu revealed the eldest child returned from a shop with packets of noodles and the trio had a meal before heading back to their home in Motherwell with their grandparents.
According to Naidu, the children fell ill as soon as they made it back home.
“The grandmother gave the 11-year-old some water to drink. While being driven with private transport to the Motherwell clinic, they passed away. Shortly after the two children left for hospital, the baby also passed away while en route to hospital in another vehicle,” the police noted.
Naidu confirmed that, at this time, the inquest into the children’s deaths has been held by an impending toxicology report.
“Toxicology samples were taken and sent to our forensic lab in Cape Town. The report is being awaited,” she added.
Two siblings in Embalentle, Mpumalanga
Two days later, more than 1 141km away in Embalentle, Mpumalanga, two siblings died in eerily similar circumstances.
As reported by News24, The children, aged nine and 13, shared a noodles meal on the morning of Tuesday 9 November 2021. The pair were on their way to catch transportation to school when the eldest sibling, a girl, collapsed.
The 11-year-old’s brother reported the matter to his mom and when she went to check on her daughter, the nine-year-old lost consciousness as well. The mother, who had learned her daughter was declared dead-on-arrival, returned home to find her son motionless on the floor.
The heartbreaking deaths of the siblings, it was determined, eerily shared a common denominator with the Motherwell tragedy. Still, authorities have refused to categorically link the two incidents.
At this time, things hinge on the results of two toxicology reports, one expected from a laboratory in Cape Town and another in Pretoria.
This is a developing story.
