At least three children died of gastroenteritis in Mubarakpur, while nine others affected with the disease were shifted to BVH. — File Photo by APP

BAHAWALPUR At least three children died of gastroenteritis in Mubarakpur village, about 40 kilometres from here, on Monday while nine others affected with the disease were shifted to Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

Reports said as many as 12 children, all related to one another, of mohallah Bohana, were suffering from gastro due to consumption of contaminated water. Of them, Abdul Karim, 6, Kubra, 7, and Zarean, 7, died while nine others were brought to the BVH on Monday night, where the condition of Lal Muhammad and Sobia was stated to be critical.

EDO (Health) Dr Javed Umar blamed two hand-pumps, from where the entire population of the locality got potable water, for the deaths, saying contaminated water got mixed with the fresh water.

He said medical check-up of all children of the locality was in progress. He added sanitary conditions were also poor in the locality which was replete with heaps of garbage as the streets had not been cleaned for the past three months.