Four members of a family in Mumbai died in April after eating a watermelon contaminated with zinc phosphide, a toxic rat poison, according to forensic results released Thursday. The victims were identified as Abdullah Abdul Kadar, 40, his wife Nasrin, 35, and their daughters Ayesha, 16, and Zainab, 13. They fell ill shortly after consuming the fruit during a family gathering, experiencing dizziness and vomiting before their deaths. Mumbai police ordered postmortem examinations and tested food samples to determine the cause.
A forensic science laboratory detected zinc phosphide in viscera samples from the victims, including liver, kidney, spleen, stomach contents, bile and abdominal fat. Traces of the same poison were also found in the watermelon they had eaten. Other food items served at the gathering tested negative for the toxin. A senior Mumbai police officer confirmed the findings to ThePrint, stating, "In connection with the JJ Marg accidental death of four members of a family, the FSL has given us the report, wherein zinc phosphide has been found in the viscera." The officer added, "The watermelon sample is also positive for zinc phosphide."
Authorities have not yet determined whether the ingestion was accidental or intentional. Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe said the report would be reviewed in detail and discussed with forensic doctors. The investigation remains ongoing.
A family consumed a poisoned watermelon and died, yet police still cannot say how the rat poison got there, leaving basic safety questions unanswered. Nigerians who eat roadside fruit face similar risks where chemical contamination goes unchecked. No system exists to trace how toxic substances enter everyday food. This case exposes how little stands between a routine meal and sudden death.
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