3 children die in suspected poisoning in Sunamganj

Three children have died in a suspected poisoning incident in Sunamganj’s Tahirpur Upazila, while their father remains critically ill in hospital.

Police and relatives suspect the father may have poisoned the children before consuming poison himself, but investigators say the exact circumstances are still unclear.

The incident took place early on Saturday in Rajani Line, a border village under Uttar Baradal Union, said Hossain Mohammad Arafat, chief of the Badaghat Police Investigation Centre.

The children were identified as Mawa Akter, 10, Shamim Mia, 7, and Tamim Mia, aged 1 and a half.

Their father, Sharafat Ali, works as a day labourer.

Jamal Mia, a member of Ward No. 2 of the union and a resident of the village, said Sharafat’s wife left for the Middle East four days ago for work.

Sharafat had been staying at home with the three children.

Jamal said relatives and neighbours became alarmed late on Friday night after hearing sounds from the house and took the family to Dr Hafiz Uddin Complex in Badaghat Bazar.

Doctors there declared the three children dead and referred Sharafat to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital.

Rafiqul Islam, a resident physician at the hospital, said Sharafat had been admitted in critical condition after suspected poisoning and was receiving treatment.

Police said they were still trying to determine what had happened.

“We still do not know the exact reason behind the incident,” Arafat said.

Village resident Harun Mia said relatives suspected Sharafat may have consumed poison along with his children after a dispute with his wife over the phone or because he was distressed by her absence.

“The three children have died. It is a very tragic incident,” he said.

Arafat said police went to Dr Hafiz Uddin Complex after receiving information early on Saturday.

“We found the three children unconscious on the floor. A doctor later confirmed that they had died,” he said.

“Their father was taken to Sunamganj Sadar Hospital by relatives.”

The children’s bodies have been sent to Tahirpur Upazila Health Complex.

Police said legal action would be taken over the incident.