Five children of one family die on way to hospital in Khyber district

Five children from one family died while being moved to hospital in Peshawar from Qazianu Kalay village, Tehsil Bazar Zakhakhel, in Khyber district, according to Express News, Daily Jang and other Urdu outlets.

Police said seven children from the family fainted suddenly in the morning. The children who died are reported to be under five years old: three girls and two boys. Police said the affected children belong to the family of a man named Shah Ji.

Two other children are receiving treatment at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar. The hospital administration said, as reported by Daily Jang, that both are in better condition and that various tests are being carried out to diagnose the illness. Doctors have recommended a blood culture and a CT scan.

Deputy Commissioner Khyber Shahid Ali said a special team of the district administration moved the children to Peshawar immediately. Initial tests on the children came back clear, but the actual cause of the illness is still unknown. The two surviving children will stay in hospital for more tests and close monitoring.

Family members said the children had been feeling weak for several days before they fainted that morning. Police said their investigation is continuing.

On the Deputy Commissioner's instructions, Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Inam Wazir visited the hospital, reviewed treatment, medical reports and facilities, and was briefed by medical staff. Medical experts at Hayatabad Medical Complex are examining the illness.

The district administration said a medical team will inspect Qazianu Kalay village to find out why the children suddenly became ill.