23 killed in Pakistan after eating poisoned sweets

23 people have died after eating sweets tainted with pesticides in central Pakistan.

According to Pakistan officials, over four kilogrammes of ladoos (ball-shaped sweets) were purchased by Sajjad Hussain, to mark the celebration of the birth of his son.

Hussain, who lives in the Layyah district near Multan, in the Punjab province, unwittingly shared the sweets with his family, with disastrous results.

Hussain and 11 other relatives (one of his sisters, all of his seven brothers, two of his nieces and a nephew) are now dead, and a total of 77 people were affected, while five remain in serious condition.

Pakistan police have arrested two sweet shop owners in connection with the incident, and one of their employees, in connection with the incident.

Investigators found sachets of pesticide in the sweet shop, and the sweets have been taken in for testing.

Police have charged the sweet shop owners under food control and poisonous substances laws.

Investigators said that pesticides from a neighbouring store were being temporarily kept in the sweet shop while the store was being renovated.