Hundreds of Iraqi police poisoned

[Montse]

Hundreds of Iraqi police and soldiers have fallen ill after eating a meal at their base near the southern town of Numaniya, according to reports.

Initial reports said some of the victims had died, but hospital officials did not confirm this.

 

Iraqi ambulances and US helicopters took the men to hospitals, and samples of food and water were being tested.

 

There have been suggestions that the suddenness and severity of the sickness may point to deliberate poisoning.

 

An official has refused to rule out poisoning. The AP news agency quotes Jassim Atwan, an official with the environment ministry, saying that some of the policemen began bleeding from the ears and nose after the meal.

 

The AFP agency reported that the entire 1,200-strong unit had fallen ill.

 

 

[D.Boon]

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