TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A case of food poisoning in Taitung County believed to be caused by the pesticide chemical terbufos has claimed its fourth victim, reports said Saturday (Oct. 5).
A woman died in September after eating leaf-wrapped millet dumplings she had made herself. Her friends and family later ate the rest of the zongzi, leaving three dead and six in intensive care.
A woman named Yang (楊), 59, was taken off life support at Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital on Friday (Oct. 4) at the request of her family. She became the fourth fatality of the poisoning, per CNA.
The last patient from the incident still in the hospital is Yang’s sister, age 53, who was reported to be in stable condition at Taitung Hospital. Tests showed the zongzi contained a high level of terbufos, an ingredient in some pesticides.
Following the latest fatality, the Taitung District Prosecutors Office said Saturday it was continuing its investigation into the case. Criminal intent has not been ruled out.