A family of four in Mumbai died under mysterious circumstances after eating watermelon, causing a sharp drop in sales of the fruit as panic spreads among consumers. Abdullah Dokadia, 45, his wife Nasreen, 35, and their daughters Ayesha, 16, and Zainab, 13, died within hours of each other after a late-night meal at their home in Pydhonie, south Mumbai.
The family had hosted nine guests for dinner earlier that evening, serving biryani. After the relatives left, the four ate watermelon around 1am. By 5am, all were severely ill with vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhoea, and were rushed to hospital in a semi-conscious state. None of the dinner guests, who had eaten the same pulao, fell ill.
Police registered a case of accidental death and have recorded statements from the guests. However, traders report that demand for watermelon has fallen nearly 30 per cent, with the fruit being sold for as little as five to seven rupees per kilogram—a fraction of the usual wholesale price of ten to 35 rupees. Retail prices in Mumbai normally range between 30 and 100 rupees per kilogram.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration collected samples of biryani, watermelon, water, rice, chicken, dates, and spices from the family's home for testing. The viscera of all four victims have been sent for chemical analysis. Doctors have dismissed social media theories linking the deaths to watermelons as unscientific, noting that the rapid deterioration and severity of symptoms are not consistent with routine food poisoning.
Dr Sanjay Surase of Sir JJ Hospital, where three of the victims died, told The Indian Express: 'The speed of deterioration, the severity of the condition, and the fact that multiple members of a single family were affected are not consistent with a routine food-borne illness. We are looking at the possibility of a toxic or chemical substance.' The state food safety commissioner added that even high levels of pesticide residues could not have caused such deaths.
Police are investigating whether the family had been under any financial or psychological stress. The Maharashtra FDA said no direct link between the deaths and watermelons had been established, and final forensic results are awaited. Growers in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat are watching the panic with alarm.
