Aweil family dies in suspected poisoning incident

AWEIL – A family of six in Malel Alel in Aweil South County of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, died on Wednesday after consuming vegetables suspected to be poisonous, local authorities reported.

Speaking to Sudans Post this afternoon, Aweil South County Commissioner Luka Thel Thel confirmed the deaths and said police are investigating the incident.

Preliminary findings, he said, suggest vegetable poisoning as the cause.

“A family of six, including the husband Aguot Makuac, his wife, and their four children, passed away yesterday after consuming vegetables suspected to be poisonous,” Thel told Sudans Post. “We attempted to rush them to the hospital, but unfortunately, it was too late.”

Thel emphasized that a high-level investigation is underway, led by county authorities. While preliminary results point towards vegetable poisoning, he stressed that these are not conclusive.

“The county government under my watch is conducting a thorough investigation,” he said. “We will ensure the public receives the final results. Currently, the preliminary findings suggest vegetable poisoning, but this is not yet confirmed.”

Ateny Wek Ateny, a former Presidential Press Secretary and native of Malel Alel, expressed his condolences.

“[I am] feeling exceedingly anguished and tormented to learn of the passing of this entire family in my home village,” Ateny said. “Their deaths are suspected to be from vegetable poisoning.”