TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jeneponto Police Precinct chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Joko Sumarno said at least 50 residents of Bungung Pandang Hamlet, Jeneponto District, South Sulawesi, got food poisoning. “Two of whom died,” Joko told Tempo Wednesday morning.
Joko said residents of Pandang Bungung Hamlet flock to seashore to find shellfish on August 28 at 3:30 local time. On Tuesday afternoon, dozens of residents who allegedly consumed the shellfish suffered from vomiting and got headaches.
They were taken to Bangkala community health center (puskesmas) to receive treatment. As many as 10 residents, who were in critical condition, were sent to Pajonga Daeng Ngalle Hospital, Takalar District. The rest were taken to Lanto Daeng Pasewang Hospital in Jeneponto. “One person died in hospital and one died at the scene,” Joko said.
Joko said police have made investigation over the incident. According to him, police have hended over food samples and leftover vomit to South Sulawesi Police Forensic Laboratory. “We have also urged residents not to consume shellfish around the beach,” Joko said.
ABDUL RAHMAN