Hyderabad: Police have intensified their investigation into the deaths of two sisters who fell ill after consuming mangoes and later died while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad.
Bhuvaneshwari, 17, and Sandhya, 10, developed severe vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the fruit.
The incident occurred under the Narayanaguda police station limits.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar ordered a detailed investigation into the case.
The victims belonged to a family that had migrated from Bidar district in Karnataka to Hyderabad in search of livelihood.
According to police, a relative named Renuka purchased two kilograms of mangoes near the Jal Board office earlier this month.
Indumathi and her four daughters consumed the mangoes soon afterwards.
The family subsequently developed health complications and sought medical treatment.
Deaths of two sisters prompt detailed food safety inquiry
While doctors treated all the affected family members, Bhuvaneshwari and Sandhya succumbed during treatment.
The remaining family members continue to receive medical care.
Meanwhile, police registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation.
Investigators are examining whether chemicals used to artificially ripen mangoes contributed to the incident.
They are also exploring other possible causes behind the illnesses.
Further, officials are reviewing postmortem findings and consulting medical experts.
Food safety authorities collected fruit and food samples linked to the case.
They sent the samples to laboratories for scientific analysis.
Police said the investigation would continue until officials determine the exact cause of the deaths.
The incident has raised concerns among consumers over the safety of fruits available in markets.